CALGARY — The Canadian oilsands suffered another public relations blow after two major U.S. retailers announced they were shunning fuel from there in favour of greener gasoline for their fleets.

Organic foods grocery chain Whole Foods Market and household accessories chain Bed Bath & Beyond said Wednesday they were actively seeking alternatives to oil-sands fuels to reduce their carbon footprints.

Wednesday’s announcements underscored the need for Alberta’s oil patch to step up their communications campaign and dispel misconceptions around their operations, said federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice.

“The oilsands, at the end of the day, are an essential part of the overall supply-demand balance in North America,” Mr. Prentice told the Calgary Herald. “But they do have to be developed in an environmentally responsible way. Industry, in particular, is going to have to tell its story and explain the real facts.”

It remains to be seen if there is significant backlash from Canadians against these retail operations.

“I don’t want anything more to do with (them),” said Calgary resident Jeff Thornborough. “As far as I’m concerned, if someone doesn’t want to do business with me, and I’m an Albertan and take it personally, I don’t want to do business with you.”

Calgary Herald