Kenney opens war room to promote ‘truth’ about energy industry
Posted December 11, 2019 12:46 pm.
Last Updated December 12, 2019 6:36 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Alberta’s fight for the energy industry has officially begun.
Premier Jason Kenney and Energy Minister Sonya Savage announced the start of the energy war room Wednesday afternoon in Calgary.
The $30 million war room project will be known as the Canadian Energy Centre and Kenney said it’s needed to tell the “truth” about the oil and gas sector.
“As we speak today, the world is producing 100 million barrels of oil. I believe it is manifestly in the interests of Canadian prosperity and global peace and stability, that a growing share from this Liberal democracy with the highest standards on Earth.”
Savage echoed those sentiments saying during her time in the oil industry, she witnessed several foreign-funded campaigns to slander energy companies.
She added the war room is about combating “myths and lies” about the sector.
The announcement was slightly muffled with Christmas tunes, as protestors stood outside singing Christmas carols, re-worded to reflect the recent cuts to Alberta schools.
In October, Savage the energy war room was coming together and would be formally titled the Canadian Energy Centre.
READ MORE: Alberta incorporates the energy war room as Canadian Energy Centre
Kenney promised to set up the war room as part of his provincial election campaign leading to the United Conservative Party’s win in April.
The centre will have a research unit, an energy literacy unit and a rapid response team to challenge misinformation.
It’s part of a multi-pronged approach that includes a $2.5-million public inquiry into foreign funding of anti-oil advocacy groups.
-with files from The Canadian Press
