When Greenpeace and its allies attack companies with misleading campaigns and capricious demands, many corporate leaders are quick to give in, hoping the activists will relent and move on to their next targets. But as we’ve pointed out before, companies that embrace a strategy of appeasement can expect repeat attacks.
Our company chose a different path. We drew a line in the sand, and defended our integrity, which is a duty we owe all our stakeholders and especially the communities where we live and work. And how have those stakeholders reacted to our effort? Mostly with encouragement and often praise that it’s about time this kind of principled action was taken. Here are some examples.
Editorial Boards and Commentators Backed Us Up
Resolute’s stand against Greenpeace has been discussed favorably in many outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Financial Post, National Review, Globe and Mail, and Toronto Sun.
Here is a sampling of some of the support we’ve received in the media:
“No corporation could get away with the tactics employed by Greenpeace and stay in business, but the organization has managed to play by its own rules for years. Until now . . . Even Resolute competitors are privately cheering on the company and we’re happy to do so publicly. For the sake of workers and shareholders everywhere, let’s hope that American executives will follow Mr. Garneau’s example.”
– Editorial Board, Wall Street Journal
“Rarely if ever has a corporate executive dared to call an ENGO shakedown what it is. Richard Garneau is thus almost unique among executives. In a corporate world dripping with bogus “business ethics,” Garneau, a quiet and modest man who lives in the Boreal, has demonstrated some true moral backbone, refusing to bow to what he sees as lies and intimidation. And while his fellow corporate executives are missing in action, more and more Northern communities, aboriginal groups and unions are beginning to stand up against the anti-brand bullies.”
– Peter Foster, Financial Post
“An outstanding example of how unfairly-attacked companies should respond is Resolute Forest Products, the world's largest producer of newsprint. It has courageously and boldly led the charge in fighting back through the courts. Others should follow suit.”
– Steve Forbes, Investor’s Business Daily
“When resource companies are attacked by environmental NGOs, their tendency is to go on the defensive and speak softly. Resolute is an exception.”
– Margaret Wente, Globe and Mail
“I wish more companies had the backbone to stand up to Greenpeace’s extortion tactics. Until they do, when I need forest products, I’ll be purchasing from retailers that buy from Resolute, and I’ll advise my friends to do the same.”
– H. Sterling Burnett, Washington Times
“Displaying the rare courage to stand up to the typical environmental extremists’ campaign of misinformation and shaming designed to shut it down, Resolute Forest Products is fighting back.”
– Marita Noon, Townhall
“Shoe, Meet Other Foot.”
– Glenn Reynolds, Instapundit
“It’s time somebody stood up to Greenpeace.”
– Nigel Hannaford, Toronto Sun
Social Media Applauded
Canadian stakeholders and prominent commentators took to Twitter to show their support for our stand against Greenpeace while pointing out their deceptive claims.
Boreal Stakeholders Rallied
Last summer, over 4,000 people marched through the streets of the small northern Quebec town of Saint-Félicien, demanding an end to misleading activist campaigns.
Tens of thousands of concerned citizens participated in a post card campaign demanding Greenpeace and its cohorts involve local stakeholders.
First Nations pushed back against Greenpeace’s attempts to speak on their behalf. As Jack Picard, Band Council Member of the Innu Council of Pessamit put it: “Greenpeace, in our view, is an environmental group that goes to the extreme . . . We are fully capable of speaking for ourselves.”
Recently, trade unions representing workers across Quebec spoke out passionately about the economic damage and threats to jobs caused by Greenpeace’s irresponsible attacks and unwillingness to engage with their communities.
Additionally, First Nations, local governments, union leaders, industry associations and individuals wrote letters, reached out by phone and on social media, and spoke out asking for Greenpeace and its many allies to listen to their concerns. But they continue to be ignored.
We will continue to stand up for our integrity against reckless attacks while working with those who support our efforts to protect the future of boreal communities.