After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

NDP MP Nathan Cullen condemns Harper’s 'witch hunt' on environmental charities

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen speaks at a 2010 anti-pipeline rally in Kitimat, BC. Screen capture from YouTube.

“They’re a puppet for Harper,” NDP MP Nathan Cullen said of Ethical Oil, a pro-oil sands campaign with Conservative Party ties.

As industry and environmentalists line up for battle at the start of the long-awaited Northern Gateway pipeline hearings, Cullen said the ongoing discussion around charitable funding is proof of a much deeper political conflict – one that could be described as a war on Canadian nonprofits. 

Ethical Oil recently launched an aggressive new campaign, which claims that Canadian environmental nonprofits are being manipulated by “foreign paymasters” pouring money into tar sands opposition. On Friday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper fueled this argument, voicing concerns that the upcoming Joint Review Panel hearings could be “hijacked” by foreign interests.

Then, in a CBC interview today, Natural Resource Minister Joe Oliver said environmental "radicals" backed by foreign billionaires were attempting to derail the Canadian economy. According to CBC reports, all this talk may result in political action as the House finance committee intends to target environmental groups when they review charitable funding regulations next month.

To Cullen, MP for the northern BC district of Skeena-Bulkley Valley, these “hypocritical” attacks from the Conservative government are a return to McCarthy-era political tactics.

“It’s a witch hunt,” said Cullen, noting the potential impacts on free speech and democracy if any group opposing federal policy can expect this sort of attack.

He laughed dismissively at the group's claims to be “non-partisan”.

Although Ethical Oil maintains that they don’t accept funding from any government agency, several factors raise suspicions about its ties to the Harper government. For instance, the online forum EthicalOil.org was developed by former Conservative staffer Alykhan Velshi – now director of planning for the Prime Minister’s Office – and current spokesperson Kathryn Marshall is married to Harper’s former manager of strategic planning.

Cullen said the Prime Minister has made his position quite clear with regard to the tar sands and Northern Gateway. And with a majority government and a powerful industry lobby, it seems now only public opinion stands in Harper’s way.

More in Politics

Gitxsan leaders join BC First Nations to vote for Anyone But Clark (ABC)

Two Gitxsan house groups, Gwininitxw and Luutkudziiwus urge voting that will empower First Nations, support communities, environment, and economic well-being.

B.C. Premier defends Bill 20 amendments

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark said Tuesday that a controversial provision in Bill 20 is meant to create “a level playing field” for all the political parties. Her comments come on the heels...

Jacobs and Florida and Gehl oh my! Who really influences our local politicians?

Still undecided about who to vote for? Second guessing yourself? Who really influences and inspires those candidates who are running for a seat in Vancouver's City Hall?
Speak up about this article on Facebook or Twitter. Do this by liking Vancouver Observer on Facebook or following us @Vanobserver on Twitter. We'd love to hear from you.