"OTTAWA — Illnesses in Canada's aboriginal communities have apparently become an obstacle to promoting the oilsands industry image and growth south of the border, the Canadian government has told its foreign diplomats.

In a presentation given to Canadian envoys to the U.S. last fall, the government highlighted such 'perceived social impacts' as a threat to the oilpatch.

The files, obtained by Postmedia News, list Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada as two departments that are among the 'key players' of a 'U.S. Oilsands Outreach' strategy.'"

Mike De Souza reports for Postmedia April 27, 2011. [2]