Premier Brad Wall says oil and gas industry losing public relations battle

CALGARY — Brad Wall says he's worried the energy industry is losing the public relations battle against environmentalists and it needs to redouble efforts to get out its side of the story.

The Saskatchewan premier made the remarks today in a speech at the Petroleum Club in Calgary to the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada, which represents small and medium oil and gas producers.

Wall says the industry needs to put forth the benefits it provides because it's being threatened by those who look to shut it down entirely.

He criticized the backers of the anti fossil-fuel Leap Manifesto for their "profound snobbery" against the industry.

Wall also reiterated his opposition to provincial and federal carbon taxes, saying it's not the right time to introduce such levies as the oil and gas industry struggles to survive amid low energy prices.

He took the opportunity to invite more oil and gas investment in Saskatchewan, one day after Alberta passed its carbon tax legislation.

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