"U.S. Lawmakers Got Cash From Alberta’s Keystone Lobbyists"

"One of Washington’s most influential lobbying firms made thousands of dollars in political contributions to U.S. lawmakers as it worked on behalf of the Alberta government to promote Keystone, documents reveal."

"OTTAWA -- One of Washington’s most influential lobbying firms made thousands of dollars in political contributions to key U.S. lawmakers last year as it worked on behalf of the Alberta government to drum up congressional support for the Keystone XL pipeline, documents reveal.

Chronicling meetings and luncheons between lobbyists and congressional staffers, the U.S. government records offer a glimpse into Alberta’s efforts to promote a project that is facing a growing number of hurdles across the border.

If built, the pipeline would carry oil from Alberta to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast. A key part of the plan to expand exports of Canada’s growing petroleum production, Keystone has been heavily promoted by the Harper government and Alberta. The pipeline’s fate has become a major factor in Canada-U.S. relations and has huge significance for future environmental and economic developments in Canada."

Laurent Bastien Corbeil and Les Whittington report for the Toronto Star July 29, 2014.