According to Global Compass Group, the lobby firm hired by Koch Industries to represent its interests, it will focus on issues ranging from taxation policy, energy and resource and economic development.
Edmonton (29 Mar. 2011) - Koch Industries, the second largest private company in the United States has registered to be able to lobby the Alberta government. According to Global Compass Group the lobby firm hired by Koch Industries to represent its interests, it will focus on issues ranging from taxation policy, energy and resource and economic development.
Canadians may know of Koch Industries, not because of its business dealings in Canada but because one of its owners David Koch was directly connected with the ugly attacks on labour and families in the United States, specifically Wisconsin.
At one point, the Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker thought he was having a heart-to-heart with David Koch, one of his major supporters, about the Republican strategy to break the unions and implement massive cuts to the state’s public service and programs. Walker later realized he was duped when the recording was posted to the internet.
It is also reported that the company also has ties to the Tea Party movement in the US, is involved in climate change denial and is a strong critic of cap and trade market for carbon emissions.
Koch Industries does have ties in Canada. It owns a crude oil terminal in Hardisty, Alberta and operates a subsidiary called Flint Hills Resources Canada LP, which it claims to be “among Canada’s largest crude oil purchasers, shippers and exporters.”
But as the Tyee reported earlier, the more politically transparent connection in Canada is as a financial backer of the Fraser Institute. Between 2005 and 2008, the company provided $175,000 in grants to the right-wing policy think-tank.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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