Latest news with #DeenaDelGiusto
Vancouver Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Suzuki Foundation accused of using misleading American photos to portray B.C. gas projects
OTTAWA — The David Suzuki Foundation has repeatedly used false and alarmist imagery to exaggerate the ecological impacts of natural gas development in northeastern British Columbia, a new complaint to Canada's Competition Bureau alleges. The complaint, put forward by eight B.C. residents, says that the Vancouver-based environmental charity repeatedly misled the public by using an aerial image depicting a dense cluster of natural gas wells scarring a landscape in Wyoming , taken in 2006, to falsely depict modern natural gas development in British Columbia's northeast. '(T)he Wyoming image paints a picture (that is) dirty, desolate and packed with natural gas well pads, as opposed the reality of a green area where natural gas development takes place around farms and public infrastructure,' reads the complaint. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The 11-page complaint includes multiple screenshots of foundation materials that use the Wyoming photo, dating back to 2019. In one case, the foundation included text acknowledging the photo was from Wyoming, but it did not do so in other cases, the complaint alleges. One June 2024 Instagram post, for example, uses the image to promote an investigative report into the Montney Formation in northeastern B.C. and northwestern Alberta, a region that accounts for roughly half of Canada's natural gas production . The foundation continued to use the image after being made aware of concerns surrounding its use that summer, according to the complaint. Deena Del Giusto, one of the complainants, said in a statement to the media that the principle of truth in advertising should apply equally to charities. 'This is about fairness and truth. The people of Northeast B.C. … deserve honest debate, not scare tactics and misleading imagery used to raise millions in donations,' said Del Giusto, a resident of Fort St. John, B.C. 'We're asking the Competition Bureau to hold the David Suzuki Foundation to the same standard businesses face: tell the truth.' Del Giusto told the National Post she was inspired to take action when a client of hers in the trucking industry brought the foundation's use of the image to her attention. 'I just didn't feel like it fairly reflected what was happening in the community, and felt strongly that I needed to do something about it,' said Del Giusto. Representatives from the David Suzuki Foundation did not immediately respond to National Post questions about the Competition Bureau complaint. The complaint also claims that the Wyoming image has in several instances appeared in close proximity to messages soliciting donations to the foundation. 'It is clear that (the image) is being used … to benefit the organization through donations.' The group is asking that the foundation to issue a corrective notice informing the public of its deceptive practices and pay a fine of up to $15,000,000 per offence. The environmental charity raised $12.1 million in Canadian donations and $38,000 from abroad last year, according to publicly available filings . It has roughly $22.5m in reserve funds, of which $8.9m are donor-endowed. National Post rmohamed@ Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
09-07-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Suzuki Foundation accused of using misleading American photos to portray B.C. gas projects
OTTAWA — The David Suzuki Foundation has repeatedly used false and alarmist imagery to exaggerate the ecological impacts of natural gas development in northeastern British Columbia, a new complaint to Canada's Competition Bureau alleges. Article content The complaint, put forward by eight B.C. residents, says that the Vancouver-based environmental charity repeatedly misled the public by using an aerial image depicting a dense cluster of natural gas wells scarring a landscape in Wyoming, taken in 2006, to falsely depict modern natural gas development in British Columbia's northeast. Article content Article content Article content '(T)he Wyoming image paints a picture (that is) dirty, desolate and packed with natural gas well pads, as opposed the reality of a green area where natural gas development takes place around farms and public infrastructure,' reads the complaint. Article content Article content The 11-page complaint includes multiple screenshots of foundation materials that use the Wyoming photo, dating back to 2019. In one case, the foundation included text acknowledging the photo was from Wyoming, but it did not do so in other cases, the complaint alleges. Article content One June 2024 Instagram post, for example, uses the image to promote an investigative report into the Montney Formation in northeastern B.C. and northwestern Alberta, a region that accounts for roughly half of Canada's natural gas production. Article content The foundation continued to use the image after being made aware of concerns surrounding its use that summer, according to the complaint. Article content Article content Deena Del Giusto, one of the complainants, said in a statement to the media that the principle of truth in advertising should apply equally to charities. Article content 'This is about fairness and truth. The people of Northeast B.C. … deserve honest debate, not scare tactics and misleading imagery used to raise millions in donations,' said Del Giusto, a resident of Fort St. John, B.C. Article content 'We're asking the Competition Bureau to hold the David Suzuki Foundation to the same standard businesses face: tell the truth.' Article content Del Giusto told the National Post she was inspired to take action when a client of hers in the trucking industry brought the foundation's use of the image to her attention. Article content 'I just didn't feel like it fairly reflected what was happening in the community, and felt strongly that I needed to do something about it,' said Del Giusto.
National Post
09-07-2025
- National Post
Suzuki Foundation accused of using misleading American photos to portray B.C. gas projects
OTTAWA — The David Suzuki Foundation has repeatedly used false and alarmist imagery to exaggerate the ecological impacts of natural gas development in northeastern British Columbia, a new complaint to Canada's Competition Bureau alleges. Article content The complaint, put forward by eight B.C. residents, says that the Vancouver-based environmental charity repeatedly misled the public by using an aerial image depicting a dense cluster of natural gas wells scarring a landscape in Wyoming, taken in 2006, to falsely depict modern natural gas development in British Columbia's northeast. Article content Article content '(T)he Wyoming image paints a picture (that is) dirty, desolate and packed with natural gas well pads, as opposed the reality of a green area where natural gas development takes place around farms and public infrastructure,' reads the complaint. Article content Article content The 11-page complaint includes multiple screenshots of foundation materials that use the Wyoming photo, dating back to 2019. In one case, the foundation included text acknowledging the photo was from Wyoming, but it did not do so in other cases, the complaint alleges. Article content The foundation continued to use the image after being made aware of concerns surrounding its use that summer, according to the complaint. Article content Deena Del Giusto, one of the complainants, said in a statement to the media that the principle of truth in advertising should apply equally to charities. Article content Article content 'This is about fairness and truth. The people of Northeast B.C. … deserve honest debate, not scare tactics and misleading imagery used to raise millions in donations,' said Del Giusto, a resident of Fort St. John, B.C. Article content 'We're asking the Competition Bureau to hold the David Suzuki Foundation to the same standard businesses face: tell the truth.' Article content Del Giusto told the National Post she was inspired to take action when a client of hers in the trucking industry brought the foundation's use of the image to her attention. Article content 'I just didn't feel like it fairly reflected what was happening in the community, and felt strongly that I needed to do something about it,' said Del Giusto. Article content Representatives from the David Suzuki Foundation did not immediately respond to National Post questions about the Competition Bureau complaint.
Cision Canada
03-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
North East B.C. Residents File Competition Bureau Complaint Against David Suzuki Foundation
FORT ST. JOHN, BC, July 3, 2025 /CNW/ - A group of eight residents of Northeast British Columbia have filed a formal application for inquiry with Canada's Competition Bureau, calling for an investigation into the David Suzuki Foundation's (the Foundation) use of false and misleading imagery in its anti-energy campaigns. The complaint alleges that the Foundation has repeatedly used a two-decade-old aerial photograph of Wyoming gas wells to falsely depict modern natural gas development in B.C.'s Montney Formation. This area produces roughly half of Canada's natural gas. Key Facts: The misleading image has been used on the Foundation's website, social media pages, reports and donation appeals. The Foundation has acknowledged the image's true source (Wyoming) in some contexts but has continued to use it to represent B.C. development. The residents claim this materially misleads donors and the public, violating Section 74.01(1) of the Competition Act. The complaint is filed under Sections 9 and 10 of the Act, asking the Bureau to investigate and impose remedies including ceasing the conduct, publishing corrective notices, and returning proceeds. Quote from Deena Del Giusto, Spokesperson: "This is about fairness and truth. The people of Northeast B.C. are proud of the work they do to produce energy for Canada and the world. They deserve honest debate, not scare tactics and misleading imagery used to raise millions in donations. We're asking the Competition Bureau to hold the David Suzuki Foundation to the same standard businesses face: tell the truth." Natural gas development in the Montney Formation supports thousands of jobs and fuels economic activity across the region. Accurate public information is vital to informed debate, especially as many Canadians live far from production sites.
