02:58 PM EDT, 06/20/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The Pathways Alliance group of oilsands companies has removed all content from its website and social media feeds, citing uncertainty over a new anti-greenwashing rule poised to become federal law, while a major oil and gas industry group has also modified its website, The Canadian Press is reporting Thursday.

It noted the Pathways Alliance is a consortium of Canada's six largest oilsands companies, which together have publicly committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from oilsands production by 2050. It also noted the consortium has previously spent millions of dollars on a countrywide public relations blitz aimed at demonstrating that the oilsands is committed to helping fight climate change.

But as of Thursday, the report said, all that remains on the group's website is a notice saying Pathways has removed its content due to concerns around an anti-greenwashing provision in federal Bill C-59.

"Imminent amendments to the Competition Act will create significant uncertainty for Canadian companies that want to communicate publicly about the work they are doing to improve their environmental performance," the Pathways statement reads. "With uncertainty on how the new law will be interpreted and applied, any clarity the Competition Bureau can provide through specific guidance may help direct our communications approach in the future."

The group -- which has not yet responded to an interview request - reportedly added it remains committed to the work it is doing to reduce the environmental impacts of oilsands production.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers also reportedly said Thursday it has "chosen to reduce the amount of information available on its website and other digital platforms."

Thursday's report noted the omnibus bill C-59, which passed third reading in the Senate Wednesday and will soon become law, contains a truth-in-advertising amendment that would require corporations to provide evidence to support their environmental claims.

It also noted the provision is not fossil fuel-specific, but applies to all businesses and economic sectors. The bill's wording says businesses must not make claims to the public about what they are doing to protect the environment or mitigate the effects of climate change unless those claims are based on "adequate and proper substantiation in accordance with internationally recognized methodology."

According to Thursday's report, the passage of the provision is a win for Canadian environmental groups, who have been mounting a full-fledged campaign against "greenwashing" -- a term given to the perceived tendency by companies to market their products and practices as more sustainable than they really are.

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