Despite falling flat in the past, Rustad is reviving the deceptive and potentially costly strategy of targeting environmental groups because it appeals to the Conservative Party base, provincially and federally, that backs unimpeded oil and gas expansion, he said.

“It’s good politics,” Bratt said. “That base is convinced that environmental groups are illegitimately blocking energy projects.”

However, Conservative politicians don’t apply the same standard when it comes to the comparatively massive U.S. investment into Canada’s oil and gas industry or as a market for B.C. or Alberta’s fossil fuel, Bratt noted.

Nearly 37 per cent of Canada’s oil and gas assets are under foreign control withAmerican investment controlling the lion’s share at 16 per cent, followed closely by Asia with 15 per cent, and the European Union at five per cent in 2022. Both Rustad and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith originally advocated against the B.C. or federal government imposing any retaliatory tariffs in response to a trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump that would harm the Canadian fossil fuel sector.