EDMONTON, AB (September 6, 2011): By funding a documentary film that accuses the province of, “transforming Canadian wilderness into wasteland,” the current government has once again double-crossed our vital energy sector and demonstrated the need for a new film funding model, the Wildrose Caucus said today.

News of the $239,083 grant given to the anti-oilsands documentary Tipping Point: The Age of the Oilsands, is especially troubling as it comes a year after the government approved a grant for a similar project, Dirty Oil.

“It’s disturbing that this government has not once, but twice directly funded misinformation and ill-informed attacks about Alberta’s most important industry,” said Rob Anderson, the Wildrose Culture and Community Spirit Critic.  “It is pathetic that the Culture Minister, who a year ago promised a review of government funding for films like Dirty Oil, has once again signed off on allowing tax dollars to fund anti-oil sands propaganda.”

Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith says that those against the production of the oil sands have and deserve every right to express their views but the government of Alberta should not be directly subsidizing their efforts.

“We want the arts and film industry in Alberta to flourish without being politicized,” Smith said.  “A Wildrose government would end direct subsidization of film projects and instead offer a generous tax credit regime that would prevent government from picking winners and losers and make Alberta’s film industry much more competitive.”

The Wildrose Caucus stands for free enterprise, less government, increased personal freedom and democracy.