Company apologizes for anonymous campaign against chlorine plant [Video]

This story is a collaboration between the Investigative Journalism Foundation and CBC Vancouver

An Ontario chemical company says it “should have been more transparent” about funding an anonymous online campaign against a chlorine plant in North Vancouver. 

The Investigative Journalism Foundation (IJF) and CBC Vancouver revealed Wednesday that K2 Pure Solutions quietly funded Keep North Vancouver Safe, a website and advertising campaign that lobbied against Chemtrade Logistics Inc.’s efforts to keep producing chlorine in North Vancouver. 

Later that day, K2 issued a statement on the website, apologizing “if our lack of transparency has caused mistrust.” Before Tuesday, Keep North Vancouver Safe’s website did not identify a funder and on Facebook, it was described only as an “environmental conservation organization.” 

K2 co-founder David Cynamon said Thursday in an interview that he took responsibility for the mistake. 

“There’s no grey there. It’s black and white. This was poorly done and executed,” said Cynamon, a former owner of the Toronto Argonauts.