I’m not sure the “lobbyists” in the headline is really the right term. The “Canadian Energy Centre” (which is specifically Albertan, not Canadian per se) is an official government propaganda body. It is founded on the belief that the woes of the Albertan energy sector are caused by diabolical outside agitators (like Greenpeace, Audubon, anything associated with the UN) spreading lies and disinformation with some kind of nefarious hidden agenda, specifically out to get Alberta because the government is conservative. (This is a government that has made an argument that god puts oil under conservative governments, to reward them for their righteousness.)
It is of course a laughing stock. Its been in existence a couple of years now, with multiple leadership changes and requests for more budget, but has had some difficulty actually locating the nefarious parties out to get us. I guess a kiddy film is about the best they could come up with.
But the provincial government, like a wounded bear, is lashing out in all directions. Hint: the “United” Conservative Party is anything but, shedding factions on almost a weekly basis. Their caucus is a clown-show, and all the cabinet ministers are kept on a very tight leash by the premier, for very good reason. It is looking like the faintly socialist NDP is going to sweep the province next election in two years (albeit 2 years is a long time in politics). They did it the election before last, which was an enormous shock to everyone, including the NDP itself.
