Pathways Alliance oilsands group removes content from website and social media, citing Bill C-59

Pathways Alliance, a consortium of Canada's largest oilsands companies, has removed all its content from its website, social media and other public communications, citing federal Bill C-59.

Bill C-59, which is currently before the Senate, would require companies to provide evidence to back up their environmental claims.

On its website, Pathways cites amendments to the Competition Act that would create «significant uncertainty» for Canadian companies that «want to communicate publicly about the work they are doing to improve their environmental performance.»

«With uncertainty on how the new law will be interpreted and applied, any clarity the Competition Bureau can provide through specific guidance may help direct our communications approach in the future,» the website reads.

«For now, we have removed content from our website, social media and other public communications.»

CBC News has reached out to the Pathways Alliance for additional comment.

Asked about the move by reporters on Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that in a democracy, it's important that «people build their positions and their decisions around facts.»

«Now, freedom of expression, freedom of people to share their points of view, is extraordinarily important. It's one of the foundations of a free and open democracy,» Trudeau said.

«But we need to make sure that people are debating and discussing and basing their worldview on things that are anchored in truth and reality.»

Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz has called the provision an «undemocratic gag order» that creates needless uncertainty for businesses. CBC News has reached out for additional comment.

Pathways Alliance members react

Members of the Pathways Alliance have also expressed