Canadian oil bosses blast Leonardo DiCaprio over documentary

Leonardo DiCaprio has been slammed by oil industry bosses in Canada over a new documentary.

The Titanic star travelled to the country's Alberta province with director Darren Aronofsky last week (ends24Aug14) to research a film highlighting the effects of oil sands drilling.

However, local trade representatives wasted no time in criticising the two men, insisting celebrities' interest in environmental concerns is a passing "fad".

A spokesman for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says, "Like Canadians, we are growing tired of the fad of celebrity environmentalists coming into the region for a few hours or a few days, and offering their ideas and solutions to developing this resource."

Alberta's Energy Minister, Diana McQueen, also responded to the Hollywood pair's visit, writing, "We respect people's right to their opinions. At the same time, we believe reasonable people recognise the world needs all forms of energy, including fossil fuels, developed responsibly to meet its needs. Aside from the economic opportunities the oil sands create for Albertans and Canadians, the taxes and royalties generated from the oil-sands development provide funding for the infrastructure and programs that contribute to Canada's high standard of living."