Anti-oilsands campaign contains major mistake

Corporate Ethics International admits it's new "rethink Alberta" tourism campaign protesting tarsands development and pollution is not totally accurate.

Spokesperson Michael Marx tells CTV the ad has been pulled and a correction is in the works.

At the centre of the dispute is the size of the area the tarsands are destroying.

Corporate Ethics stated it was twice the size of England, when in fact it's less than the size of one England.

The billboard and on-line campaign is urging Americans and Europeans to put off trips to Alberta until the environmental problems associated with the oilsands are addressed.

Sierra Club Canada Executive Director John Bennett tells 660News the mistake is not a big deal and is not a blow to the environmental movement.

Bennett says it's refreshing to hear somebody admit they "messed up" and they will correct it.

He says while some of the facts and figures over oilsands development can be disputed, there is no arguing it's a major source of pollution and action is needed now to reduce it's environmental footprint.