The Edmonton Journal reports Enbridge boss points to 'curious' funding of pipeline opposition by U.S. charities

The man chosen as Canada's top executive of 2011 has added his voice to those who argue that major U.S. charities have a hidden agenda when they finance Canadian environmental and aboriginal groups opposed to a pipeline that would open up Asian markets to the oilsands industry.

Enbridge Inc., president Patrick Daniel joins Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who recently delivered an even more blunt accusation about the possible ulterior motives of American trusts providing millions to the anti-oilsands movement.

They assert, directly or by inference, that the foundations and trusts oppose Enbridge's $5.5-billion pipeline to Kitimat, B.C., because the link to Asian markets would end the U.S. near-monopoly on below-market-priced oilsands bitumen.

"I guess one's mind runs to why do U.S. foundations feel they need to come here to fund opposition to a project that is obviously not in the U.S. national best interests. It is curious," Daniel, named Canada's 2011 chief executive of the year by Caldwell Partners, told the Edmonton Journal.