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Controversial figure speaks at NWT Chamber of Commerce

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Vivan Krause showing a map of the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline. Brett Hawes/NNSL photo

In the public debate over climate change, Vivian Krause is a controversial figure.

The Vancouver-based blogger has written critically about how American environmental organizations are funding the Canadian anti-pipeline movement.

On April 11, she was the keynote speaker at the NWT Chamber of Commerce's annual general meeting and President's Dinner.

Vivian Krause at the Explorer hotel after her speech. Brett Hawes/NNSL photo

Last week, Renée Comeau, executive director of the NWT Chamber Commerce, said the purpose of Krause’s appearance was to speak about “regulations hampering the mining industry.”

While Krause wasn't paid for her speech, Comeau said her travel expenses and accommodations were covered by the chamber.

Throughout Krause’s hour-long presentation, there was no such mention of any mining regulations.

In front of a very attentive audience, Krause made her argument about how she believes foreign money is playing a bigger role in pipeline and climate change protests than previously thought.

“Their funding is a direct effort to land lock a global export,” said Krause, speaking of the Alberta oil sands.

“We couldn’t get off fossil fuels if we wanted to, its like telling someone to stop using the telegram when the telephone hasn’t been invented yet,” she added.

She supported her theory with blown up photographs of tax returns from non-profits and charities such as Tides Canada that allegedly show funding from American foundations.

American funding for environmental non-profits and charities is undermining the farmed salmon industry as well as the oil and gas industry in Canada, she said.

Krause also said she believes the January pipeline demonstrations in Northern British Columbia were funded and backed by those same American foundations, not by Wet’suwet’en First Nation protesters, of whom 14 were arrested.

Vivian Krause showing a map of the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline. Brett Hawes/NNSL photo

After the presentation, Yanik D’Aigle, director at large for the chamber, said Krause's presentation was "exactly what was expected."

According to Krause’s website, much of her income is derived from speaking engagements like these.

For example, in 2012 she received a $10,000 honorarium for a presentation to a luncheon organized by the B.C. Association for Mineral Exploration in Vancouver.

Media met with Krause after her presentation and asked why she didn’t speak about the mining industry.

Krause responded by saying nobody had asked her to speak specifically about mining regulations.

Vivian Krause at the end of her hour long presentation that was followed by a short Q & A session. Brett Hawes/NNSL photo
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Vivan Krause at the end of her hour long presentation that was followed by a short Q & A. Brett Hawes/NNSL photo