An #elxn43 story worth following beyond the headline: It’s not just that the company co-founded by Scheer’s campaign manager (Hamish Marshall) has contracts with both CPC and CAPP for election advertising theglobeandmail.com/politics/artic… #cdnpoli
2. This development has to be seen in light of the Globe scoop back in April on a secret meeting between oil-industry executives & Conservative politicians to map out a strategy for defeating the Trudeau government theglobeandmail.com/politics/artic…
3. At that meeting (attended by Andrew Scheer & CAPP’s Tim McMillan), Marshall (who apparently only took leave from his firm in June) spoke on a panel about “rallying the base” by using friendly interest groups that operate independently of the party
4. Marshall is something of digital strategy wunderkind for the right, having worked for Conservative politicians as well as helping Ezra Levant set up first Ethical Oil & then The Rebel, which are key proponents of a vigorously anti-environmental form of petro-nationalism
5. At this point, it’s worth noting that CAPP’s advertising is appearing under the name of its front group “Energy Citizens” and has become much more aggressive in demonizing environmentalists and climate action
6. So I was intrigued to see that his PR company - that claims it “creates social movements, mobilizes people, and inspire actions both on and offline” – was listed on CAPP’s interim report on election ad expenses elections.ca/fin/oth/thi/ad…
7. The Globe discovered his firm was also working for the CPC, which in combo w/ that history of pre-election discussions & similarity btwn CAPP’s election wish list + Conservative platform raises questions re whether this crosses the line prohibiting collusion in Elections Act
8. As article notes, it’s not clear if this breaks the rules (which are new). It does highlight the increasingly blurred lines between the oil lobby & the Conservative party, which is feeding the Jason Kenney-style attacks on climate policy & advocates (War Room, Inquiry...)
9. Obviously, @OilGasCanada's biggest funders @Suncor, @ImperialOil @cenovus @CNRL_Oilsands @HuskyEnergy etc know what is being done on their behalf during #elxn43 even as they profess their ESG bona fides
@OilGasCanada @Suncor @ImperialOil @cenovus @CNRL_Oilsands @HuskyEnergy The question is: will the oil industry's heavy hitters stand behind what is being done in their name now that it is out in the open? #cdnpoli
@OilGasCanada @Suncor @ImperialOil @cenovus @CNRL_Oilsands @HuskyEnergy Latest twist: Scheer says that Elections Canada gave them a ruling saying it was OK. Elections Canada replies "oh no, we didn't". theglobeandmail.com/politics/artic… #elxn43
