Funding of anti-climate-change group questioned
September 15, 2011
Mason asks AG to investigate funding of anti-climate-change group through U of C
Sept. 15, 2011
Office of Brian Mason Leader, Alberta's NDP Opposition 501 Legislature Annex 9715 - 107 St. Edmonton, AB T5K 1E4Merwan Saher Auditor General of Alberta 8th floor, 9925 - 109 Street Edmonton, AB T5K 2J8
Dear Mr. Saher,
This letter is to request that your office investigate the circumstances relating to the use of trust funds associated with the University of Calgary to fund the activities of the organization known as the "Friends of Science". This allegedly allowed the Friends of Science to issue charitable tax receipts for politically motivated activities, specifically attempting to refute scientific evidence for human-caused climate change. Funds received were also apparently used for travel and entertainment expenses.
According to reports, the organization raised a total of $507,975, including $150,000 From Talisman Energy Corp. Although the University of Calgary cancelled the use of its trust fund by the Friends of Science in 2007, several questions remain. Have proper safeguards been put in place to prevent a repetition of this situation, and if not, what safeguards should be implemented? What donations received charitable tax receipts? Were they appropriate and/or legal? If not, what action has been taken by the University to correct that situation?
The misuse of charitable status by the University is a very serious concern. These circumstances also raise concern about inappropriate corporate influence on our universities, which should be bastions of independent scientific inquiry, free from self-interested influence by special interests. Your investigation into this matter would help assure the citizens of Alberta that this type of situation will not recur. I look forward to your response to this request. Thank you for your ongoing efforts on behalf of the citizens and taxpayers of Alberta.
Sincerely,
Brian Mason
MLA, Edmonton Highlands-Norwood
Leader, Alberta's NDP