Nearly 40 fossil fuel companies shaping Canadian K-12 curriculums, report finds
BC Lions players Boseko Lokombo, left, and Dylan St. Pierre speak to Kelset Elementary school students in North Saanich as part of the FortisBC-sponsored 'Energy Champions' program. A new report cites the program as part of an example of the oil and gas industry's sprawling influence in Canadian public schools. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST
A new attempt to measure corporate influence in Canada's public schools has found there are more than 50 oil and gas companies and their industry groups involved in shaping the way students learn about climate change.
The report, published Tuesday on commission from the climate advocacy groups For Our Kids and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), found 39 oil and gas companies and 12 industry-tied organizations founded or provided funding to 34 educational institutions across the country.
Since the Industrial Revolution, burning oil and gas has been the primary driver of climate change on Earth. But according to the CAPE report, all the industry-funded curriculums omitted that fact.
“This is like a tobacco company teaching kids about health, or a fast food company teaching kids about good nutrition,” said CAPE president Melissa Lem. “There's a clear conflict of interest.”
The report, which was not peer-reviewed, found oil and gas companies sponsored teacher conferences and school activities, and funded several high-profile environmental education providers to produce materials for children in kindergarten through Grade 12.
The companies cited in the report include six of the Canada's largest oil and gas producers — Cenovus Energy (TSX:CVE), Suncor Energy (TSX:SU), Imperial Oil (TSX:IMO), Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) and MEG Energy (TSX:MEG) — who have banded together under the Pathways Alliance, as well as Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB), TC Energy (TSX:TRP) and FortisBC.
Of those companies, only FortisBC responded to BIV's requests for comment. In an emailed statement, a company spokesperson said the report's findings were partially based on outdated program materials.
The spokesperson added that FortisBC is helping lead B.C.'s energy transition, “including investing in energy efficiency and conservation programs.”
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