Our Approach

We set high standards for our operations by planning, designing, constructing and operating our facilities to the appropriate industry standards and by working collaboratively with stakeholders to identify and mitigate negative impacts. We respect the special connection between Aboriginal peoples and the land. We incorporate local, traditional and ecological knowledge and land-use information into the planning, design and construction of our facilities and related operations.

Our consultation efforts comply with the Alberta First Nations Consultation Guidelines on Land Management and Resource Development (2006). Our consultation practices are also consistent with the Treaty 8 First Nations Consultations Guidelines Framework and our corporate expectations.

The majority of our stakeholders outside of Fort McMurray live in Aboriginal communities. We engage the Aboriginal groups in three main ways:

• Project consultation with Aboriginal communities that may be impacted by our activities, including discussions about traditional land-use issues. This consultation process is informed by socio-economic and environmental impact assessments that are carried out as part of our standard regulatory application process. Consultation starts early in the project planning phase and continues to inform decisions through the life-cycle of the project. In addition, we plan to engage Aboriginals as part of our expanding Faster Forests program, which aims to enhance our reclamation efforts.
• Economic opportunities that provide funding and support for increasing Aboriginal business capacity and opportunities in the wage-based economy. We plan to participate in a recently established Business Facilitation Centre, a joint industry and government centre focused on enabling and facilitating more local job and contracting opportunities.
• Community investment that focuses on youth, education and social/cultural issues.

Proactive Consultation

Aboriginal community involvement is required for decisions regarding the development of petroleum resources on their Treaty and/or traditional lands, and we have a duty to consult them under the Constitution of Canada. Our consultation practices are in alignment with Province of Alberta Consultation Guidelines for industry. It should be noted that Treaty 8 First Nations, which include all First Nations in northern Alberta, have their own Consultation Guidelines. These Treaty 8 First Nations guidelines are similar in some respects but different in others to the provincial ones. This adds a layer of complexity to the consultation process.

We consult with Aboriginal communities as an integral part of doing business. We focus on building sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships as well as working with community and industry groups to understand and tackle the issues associated with oil sands development.