Oil group removes all web content ahead of law

Bill would force firms to prove their environmental claims

- AMANDA STEPHENSON

CALGARY The Pathways Alliance group of oilsands companies has removed all content from its website and social media feeds, citing uncertainty over a new anti greenwashing rule poised to become federal law, while a major oil and gas industry group has also modified its website.

The Pathways Alliance is a consortium of Canada’s six largest oilsands companies, which together have publicly committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from oilsands production by 2050.

The consortium has previously spent millions of dollars on a countrywide public relations blitz aimed at demonstrating that the oilsands is committed to helping fight climate change.

But as of Thursday, all that remains on the group’s website is a notice saying Pathways has removed its content due to concerns around an anti-greenwashing provision in federal Bill C-59.

“Imminent amendments to the Competition Act will create significant uncertainty for Canadian companies that want to communicate publicly about the work they are doing to improve their environmental performance,” the Pathways statement reads.

“With uncertainty on how the new law will be interpreted and applied, any clarity the Competition Bureau can provide through specific guidance may help direct our communications approach in the future.”