MP Bob Zimmer condemns Fossil Fuel Advertising Act for impacting freedom of speech

FORT ST. JOHN — Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer says that the Fossil Fuel Advertising Act can restrict people’s ability to speak positively about the resources and misses the whole point of how to reduce global emissions. 

Fossil Fuel Advertising Act, also known as Bill C-372, was introduced by Ontario MP Charlie Angus of the NDP as a response to climate change as a national health and environmental threat.

The purpose of the bill is to protect Canadian citizens from misinformation by prohibiting the promotion of fossil fuels through media, sales, or other means. Exceptions for the bill include dramatic, musical, or artistic performances. 

Zimmer says the bill would seriously impact freedom of speech by punishing individuals and organizations by bringing them to court and giving them massive fines for saying anything positive about fossil fuels. 

“If you and I speak in any way, positively, about fossil fuels, we can get charged half a million dollars,” said Zimmer. 

The legislation can hurt oil and gas workers supporting their families, added the MP.

He notes that turning to other fuel alternatives like natural gas or nuclear energy is a better solution for reducing the effects of climate change. 

On February 6th, 2024, Angus discussed the bill at a press conference, saying the oil and gas industry is killing Canadians and the planet from fossil fuel production. 

“Over the last 60 years, they’ve spent billions suppressing evidence of the damage they are knowingly doing to our planet,” said Angus. 

He says “big oil” companies have relied on delayment and misinformation campaigns no different than big tobacco companies had done before. 

The bill will have a similar effect to laws passed to take down big tobacco by banning all fossil fuel advertising, according to Angus.

“Bill C-372 will make it illegal for big oil and the gas lobby or their front groups or paid influencers to falsely promote the burning of fossil fuels as a benefit to the public.”

“To claim that there are clean fossil fuels is like saying there are safe cigarettes. We know that is simply not true.”

In an opinion piece published by the National Observer on February 15th, Angus wrote that his office has been overflowing with messages from angry people falsely believing the bill will lead to the repossession of their gas-powered vehicles. 

Angus also writes that convoy leader Tamara Lich and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have denounced his efforts. 

“Holding powerful corporations accountable for the veracity of their advertising is being misrepresented as a threat to our Canadian way of life,” Angus wrote. 

Zimmer feels the bill is unlikely to pass due to the legislation being too radical and not getting enough support from the Liberal Party. 

The bill was tabled in the federal legislature on February 5th, 2024.