A Canadian pipeline company is cutting its ties with a controversial U.S. public relations firm after leaked documents raised concerns about suggested tactics to promote a planned pipeline.
TransCanada (TSX:TRP) has announced it is no longer working with the multinational firm Edelman on its plans for the Energy East pipeline to bring Alberta's oilsands crude to eastern refineries.
In documents leaked to the environmental group Greenpeace, Edelman recommended that TransCanada secretly use third parties to attack the pipeline's opponents.
Edelman also recommended TransCanada cultivate a "grassroots" movement of supporters using social media.
TransCanada spokesmen have said they hadn't implemented the third-party strategy, although the company's social media program is already running.
