Calgary Herald
Sunday, May 25, 2008
The Alberta government has called in high-priced outside help to quell increasing public concern over the oil industry’s impact on the environment.
Peter Sandman, a prominent American communications expert who bills $650 an hour — and who often works for government, environmental groups and big industrial players, including oil and gas — gave Alberta Environment officials presentations over two days this month on how to better handle regular public meetings and controversies that flare up.
Total cost, including preparation and travel time: $35,000.
“I would hope that it’s not about sharpening their image but it’s more about being more responsive and more transparent,” said Sandman, who is known for advising corporate clients to be more forthright about their failures and weaknesses to engender public trust.