Vivian Krause – photo: Postmedia
Readers of CityCaucus.com are no strangers to Vivian Krause, who kindly shared some of her detailed research on our blog back in 2010 – you can find links to these articles here. Krause became a national sensation last week after Hon. Joe Oliver - Minister of Natural Resources published the following remarks. The excerpted text below in particular triggered a debate over whether foreign-funded charities are unfairly influencing economic and environmental policy in Canada:
Unfortunately, there are environmental and other radical groups that would seek to block this opportunity to diversify our trade. Their goal is to stop any major project no matter what the cost to Canadian families in lost jobs and economic growth. No forestry. No mining. No oil. No gas. No more hydro-electric dams.
These groups threaten to hijack our regulatory system to achieve their radical ideological agenda.
Though it was widely reported as such, the Minister didn't refer to anyone as being 'radicals'. Rather he labeled the quest to halt resource development in Canada as being a 'radical' agenda. Minister Oliver's remarks stem indirectly from the findings of Ms. Krause, who has – perhaps at least for the moment – become the most influential blogger in Canada. Krause has been insistent that the issue is not so much the "foreign" origins of the funding, but the questionable use of charities in pursuit of political agendas.
The people she asks her "fair questions" of – such as the leadership at the charity Tides Canada – are likely not comfortable with the scrutiny. Donor-advised giving organizations such as Tides are meant to keep the originating source of funds on the QT. Tellingly, the bio of a Tides board member didn't even mention his connection to the charity in a recent Globe op/ed.
They've garnered the support of friendly third parties to try and raise doubts about Krause, such as the political warhorse Allen Garr, who coolly insinuates that she's a fraud. Others have mischaracterized her as a shill on the payroll of big oil, or a wag for the federal Conservatives. Krause denies both accusations. She is likely the most honest broker in the whole debate, but to those she has shed light on Krause must seem like the devil incarnate.
Though Krause is regularly featured in mainstream media today, it was only last fall that she became a hot property for media interviews. To his credit, it was CKNW Legislative reporter and weekend talk show anchor Sean Leslie that gave Krause her most unfettered radio platform yet to make her case just six days before the last municipal election. During a twelve minute, thirty second segment on his program, Krause describes a complicated web of charitable and political funding, and the people behind it (hear mp3).
Krause talks about her concerns that charitable dollars were used to fund the political campaign of Vision Vancouver, and questions how millions were spent to manage a charity that only granted to one entity – Tides Canada. She begins by discussing the connection of Vancouver's mayor to these US-funded charities that are stirring up headlines today by funding the campaign to prevent oil tankers on our north coast. Though not germane to Krause's interview with Leslie, it's noteworthy that Gregor Robertson was once a board member for both Tides Canada and the Dogwood Initiative organization.
Here below is the transcript of the November 13, 2011 interview of Vivian Krause on the Sean Leslie, World Today This Weekend program.
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Sean Leslie:
My next guest is an intrepid researcher who takes the old saying 'follow the money' very seriously. She has a lot of questions for Mayor Gregor Robertson. The mayor declined our request for an interview on-air this weekend. Vivian Krause, researcher and writer, welcome to the show.
Vivian Krause:
Thanks for having me, Sean. Great to be here.
Leslie:
Vivian, tell us about yourself. You maintain a blog called Fair Questions. What's it all about?
