Avatar director is “concerned about the criticism leveled” at the operations
Avatar director James Cameron is set to visit Alberta’s oil sands. The hollywood mogul sent a letter to Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach scheduling a trip starting on September 27, saying he wants to meet with oil executives and tour one of the operations in Fort McMurray. “As a native-born Canadian, I’m concerned about the criticism leveled at Alberta’s oilsands operations,” Cameron said, “and eager to learn whether they are true or not and if true, how they are being addressed by industry and government.” Earlier this year, Cameron called the oil sands a “black eye” on Canada’s image as an environmental leader. Stelmach reportedly sent the director a letter, prompting the September visit. George Poitras, a former chief of the Mikisew Cree First Nation near Fort Chipewyan and a long-time activist against oil sands, will also meet with Cameron.