Peter Mansbridge Was Paid By Oil And Gas Lobby For Speech

rbarnes Posted On February 27, 2014

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CBC anchor Peter Mansbridge was paid by a top oil and gas industry group to give a speech on energy, raising new questions about the broadcaster’s conflict of interest policies in the wake of revelations about contributor Rex Murphy’s ties to the energy sector.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) paid Mansbridge to speak at its Investment Symposium in December 2012 and a photo of him giving the address on how “energy has moved to the forefront of news: economic, environment, safety” was posted to the group’s Facebook page.

CAPP spokesperson Geraldine Anderson told Canadaland’s Jesse Brown that the lobbying organization procured Mansbridge’s services through the Lavin Agency but that the terms of the speaking agreement prohibit releasing the fee paid. Mansbridge received $28,000 for one recent speaking engagement, according to the Toronto Sun.

The CAPP is one of Canada’s most influential lobby groups and its member companies “produce more than 90 per cent of Canada’s natural gas and crude oil,” according to its website.

Environmental blogger Sierra Rayne first drew attention to Mansbridge’s speaking appearance for CAPP on Saturday. Rayne also highlighted several other Mansbridge speaking engagements, including one sponsored by energy giant Cenovus during a conference conducted by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen in 2011. On Wednesday, Rayne also highlighted that CBC anchor Ian Hanomansing spoke at a Oilweek Rising Stars event in 2013.