Tory-linked "Ethical Oil" website slams Canadian enviros over "foreign funding"

While the “Our Decision” website may be new, this is not the first time Ethical Oil has criticized “anti-oil sands” groups for accepting foreign money. Marshall wrote a similarly critical op-ed that appeared in the Vancouver Sun in December, blaming Pembina’s foreign funding for “undermining” efforts to expand oil sands production.

In a blog post responding to these allegations, Whittingham both acknowledged and expressed pride in the organization’s sources for funding. Pointing out that Pembina is an advocate for responsible development and not strictly “anti-oil sands”, he suggested that a globalized approach is necessary as Canada’s decisions could have global implications.

“I think Canadians are intelligent. They know that we live in a globalized world,” said Whittingham, confident that citizens will see past Ethical Oil’s argument.

“They’re concerned about environmental protection and sustainable economic growth. And they know that it’s a global endeavour, it’s not just a parochial, small, narrow-minded Canadian one.”

Gillian McEachern is the Program Manager for Energy and Climate with Environmental Defence, one of the other organizations listed on the OurDecision.ca website. McEachern agreed with Whittingham’s sentiments around globalization, suggesting that the Ethical Oil campaign “misses the point”.

“The question from our perspective isn’t which side of the border you’re on, it’s which side of the issue you’re on,” she said.

“We are working to tackle climate change, which is one of the biggest global challenges we’re facing at the moment. Given the scale of the problem and the fact that climate change in itself is a global challenge, and the oil industry is a global industry, we are happy to work with Americans and others who want to help fix the problem.”

McEachern said Environmental Defence is focused on the tar sands issue because of its environmental impacts, its role in driving climate change, and the fact that it’s “holding Canada back” from taking climate change seriously and participating in global agreements like the Kyoto Protocol.

Comparing the donation figures listed on OurDecision.ca to billion-dollar revenues generated by major oil sands producers like Shell and Imperial Oil, McEachern said the scale is “unbelievably out of whack”.

“Big oil companies have always had more resources to fight action on climate change than the people who are trying to fight for action,” she said.

Foreign funding low compared with Canadian donations

McEachern noted that since Canadian charities are required to publicly disclose their funding, it’s no secret than many environmental groups accept donations from foreign bodies. But both she and Whittingham said despite the Ethical Oil argument, the proportion of funding coming from outside of Canada is quite low in comparison to other sources.

“Foreign sources of funding account for less than 10 per cent of [Pembina’s] overall funding,” said Whittingham.

He said the bulk of Pembina’s financing actually comes from Canadian foundations, governments and Canada-based transnational companies – many of which are drawn to the organization because of their clean energy consulting work.

According to McEachern, Environmental Defence is in the same boat, receiving only 10 per cent of their funding from foreign sources. She said that unlike some industry players, the organization makes no attempt to hide where their money comes from.

“It’s bizarre to see it sort of being ‘disclosed’, when we’re transparent about our funding,” she said.

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