A U.S. banana company's boycott of oil from Canada's tar sands provoked an outcry and a counter boycott of Chiquita bananas on Tuesday.
Ethicaloil.org launched an online and radio campaign calling on Canadians to stop buying bananas until Chiquita Brands International reverses its ban on using oil from the Alberta oil sands to truck its products to market.
Chiquita made its announcement last week that it would direct trucking companies it uses to try to avoid using fuel refined from the oil sands.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said on Twitter: "I gather that Chiquita Bananas has no problem with Iranian oil, but is boycotting Canadian oil. No more Chiquita bananas for me."
He was echoed by MP Scott Armstrong who said, "Stand up for Canada boycott Chiquita products!"
And Alberta politician Danielle Smith who is planning to challenge for the leadership of the province in the next election issued a statement calling Chiquita's actions "disappointing."
"Alberta's oil sands are the most safe, secure and reliable source of energy in the world, and tremendous progress has been made in reducing emissions and environmental impacts," she said.
"Personally, I will boycott Chiquita products until they reverse their ill-informed decision to avoid fuel from Alberta's oilsands. I am proud of Alberta's record of responsible resource development."
