Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore has accused the oil industry of financially backing the Tories and their “ultra-conservative leader” to protect its stake in Alberta’s lucrative oilsands.

Canadians, Gore said, should vigilantly keep watch over prime minister-designate Stephen Harper because he has a pro-oil agenda and wants to pull out of the Kyoto accord — an international agreement to combat climate change.

“The election in Canada was partly about the tar sands projects in Alberta,” Gore said Wednesday while attending the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

“And the financial interests behind the tar sands project poured a lot of money and support behind an ultra-conservative leader in order to win the election . . . and to protect their interests.”

Hello Mr. Gore. Er. Yes, Alberta has a lot of oil, most of which is sent to the US. Given the financial shenanigans Canadians have been watching the past few years,  I don’t think any political party is going to risk wilful violation of the Elections Act.

The federal Elections Act limits how much money individuals, corporations and unions can donate to political parties. Individuals are allowed to give as much as $5,000 a year, while companies and unions are capped at $1,000 a year.

In their election platform, the Conservatives promised to further limit individual donations to a maximum of $1,000 and ban all donations from corporations, unions and organizations.

Parties and candidates are required to make public any contributions exceeding $200.

If there is a loop hole to be found, I’ve no doubt  rogues, scallywags and the usual suspects will find them.  What Canadians are looking for, particularly in the message we sent this week is accountability from Ottawa. Thank you for your warning, enjoy the films. Oh, and thanks for inventing the internet for us.