Industry-backed group targets environmentalists in Canada ad campaign
Energy United, a Canadian advocacy group with ties to the oil and gas industry, is running social media ads blaming environmental activists for weakening the country, though experts say the claims lack evidence.
Taylor Noakes reports for DeSmog.
In short:
- Energy United has spent at least $53,000 on Meta ads since November 2024, accusing activists of blocking economic growth and making Canada vulnerable to external threats. The group has spent even more on anti-carbon tax ads over the past year.
- The organization is linked to the oil industry and conservative political circles, including Alberta’s environment minister, Rebecca Schulz, and former Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) executives. Its campaign manager, Jarret Coels, previously worked for CAPP and the Saskatchewan Party.
- Despite claiming to be grassroots and nonpartisan, Energy United does not disclose its funding sources, raising concerns about its financial backing and political agenda.
Key quote:
“Now that Coels is no longer with CAPP, he runs Energy United, another fake grassroots, oil advocacy group.”
— Gordon Laxer, University of Alberta political economist
Why this matters:
Astroturfing campaigns — industry-funded efforts that masquerade as grassroots movements — can distort public perception and influence policy debates. Energy United’s aggressive messaging frames environmentalists as threats to Canada’s prosperity while avoiding discussion of the oil industry’s economic and environmental impacts. Such narratives can shape public opinion and policy in ways that benefit fossil fuel interests while obscuring broader discussions on sustainable energy and climate action.
