Who's paying oilsands foes?

Photo: The Canadian Press

Premier of Alberta Jason Kenney 

The Alberta government is holding a public inquiry into funding of environmental campaigns it says have prevented the province's resources from getting to new customers.

Premier Jason Kenney says forensic accountant Steve Allan has been named to lead the inquiry, which has a budget of $2.5 million.

Allan is to submit his final report to the government in a year.

He is to interview witnesses, do research, and hold a public hearing if deemed necessary.

Kenney says environmental groups funded by deep-pocketed U.S. charities have been deliberately trying to landlock Alberta resources for years.

He blames those groups for the demise of several coast-bound pipelines that would have helped oilsands crude get to markets besides the United States.