Alec Baldwin

Organizers of the annual fundraiser, which attracted green-minded celebrities such as Alec Baldwin and Ed Begley Jr. Banff say the event was canceled due to a protracted dispute comments by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last year about the safety of fish of Alberta.

Mark Mattson, a Canadian representative of the Waterkeeper Alliance Kennedy, said the event would be “postponed” for one year, indicating that the negative attention that followed Kennedy’s comments cast a shadow over the event. Waterkeeper Alliance umbrella that protects the group of reservoirs around the world.

“Some of us felt that we were like turns into a political football, and we thought that we should reorganize and make sure that it happened in a positive direction,” said Mattson.

“Last year, for example, some of the comments by Mr. Kennedy about mercury in fish in North America in all states and provinces was taken as an attack on Alberta. We are there to support the Banff and Alberta, and all good things City of Calgary has been doing . Many people think it would be better to regroup and come back bigger and better next year. ”

Mattson said that the decision was made several months ago, organizers Waterkeeper Alliance Celebrity Ski Weekend Invitation and Kennedy himself, who chairs the fund-raising year. Over the past 10 years, the annual January brought by celebrities such as Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan, Peter Fonda, Dan Aykroyd, Woody Harrelson, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, in particular, in Banff, to frolic in the snow, part elegant gala Evenings and awareness for the Alliance. Last year, the event raised nearly a million dollars for the organization.

But during a speech to 600 attendees at the Banff Springs Hotel, Kennedy said 90 percent of Alberta’s fish inedible.

He later clarified his remarks by saying that he was talking about mercury in fish of Alberta, adding there is no safe level of mercury in fish andthat the health of Canada on this issue was not enough.

“Last year, it seemed, the people who were intent on making us feel that we were somehow out of whackos from the region,” said Mattson. “I think it is important that an event celebrating the area. Manifested a demonstration of Banff and Fairmont and the Rocky Mountains. Waterkeeper lucky charity attached to it. It just does not seem to enthusiasm or interest to pull it off this year. People thought it might have turned into something negative. ”

Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen said it was disappointed the event was canceled, adding that the community enjoys hosting the Hollywood stars. Spotlight that accompanies celebrity was good for the city.

But Sorensen added each conference group that comes to Banff is important for the economy.

“Everyone who comes to Banff is a celebrity,” she said.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts spokeswoman Lori Cote said the event was attended by 200 to 300 guests. But she said they were working hard to fill all the open space, backed by force of circumstances early ski season.

And, despite the cancellation, the region continued to focus on tourism to get support from a stellar collection of funds. She saidthat the annual program of the television associated with the event will continue to be produced.

Cote said, “Better” program will be aired next year, the United States, providing significant exposure to potential tourists.