Subscribe Share Past Issues Translate OSCA's bi-monthly update to our stakeholders View this email in your browser January 31, 2014 In this issue: Transition update from the Executive Director Catching up with the new focus areas Check out the new website Read some news from our communities Regional Spotlight From the Executive Director Welcome to our inaugural Oil Sands Community Alliance (OSCA) newsletter. If you re not familiar with our name or logo we were previously called the Oil Sands Developers Group. So why the new name? Well, our organization has undergone some changes - including a new mandate that is focussed exclusively on the socio-economic issues. Our organization represents oil sands companies in the region. This includes the companies which operate existing or planned mines, the growing in-situ operations further south in the region, as well as companies with lease holdings seeking regulatory approval. With more than $82 billion in annual investment, more than 40 projects and thousands of workers in the region in the region at any given time, it is important the oil sands industry work together with our local stakeholders Province Address Growth issues in Fort McMurray Residents of Fort McMurray will see more land development and road improvements as part of land exchange agreement between the province and municipality. Learn more about the land exchange agreement. Alberta Energy Corridor Release Quarterly Newsletter Have a read and catch up with the AEC and its work. Nominations now open! Nominations are now open for the 2014 Heart of Wood Buffalo Leadership Awards. us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=33868f661d5ea7ac7458b076a&id=8131be3c87&e= 1/7
to manage the impacts of resource development and maximizing the benefits. And while the industry is driven by business principles, the companies that operate in the region also understand the value of converting the abundant natural resources into local financial resources which in turn supports the development of social programming, infrastructure and employment. Beyond the financial contributions to the local economy our industry also understands the importance of building communities which have a high quality of life including education, recreation and cultural opportunities. As an organization our focus going forward is on identifying the issues and solutions for a number of key socio-economic issues that are important to the future success of our communities and our industry. The four key areas for OSCA are: Workforce how to attract and retain the labour force we need to extract this resource Community well-being providing the quality of life in our communities to ensure employees in the industry and their families choose to live in the region not just work there. This includes providing an adequate supply of housing in the market as well as affordable housing. Aboriginal how do we ensure our local aboriginal population participate in the economic opportunity through by enhancing skills and business capacity as well as support community well-being. Infrastructure providing the infrastructure to support the movement of products and people into the region as well the utilities and services to sustain the growth of our economy and our communities. The industry goal of responsible development is anchored by a shared set of mutual benefit goals with local communities including creating vibrant, diverse, inclusive, welcoming, resilient and safe communities. This focus reflects the fact that our communities in the region will only fully realize their potential if the industry reaches its potential and vice-versa. It reminds me of a saying A rising tide floats all boats but we must make sure the littlest vessels are not swamped. Nominate someone who you think is the Heart of Wood Buffalo and recognize their achievements, dedication and passion for their community. Nomination deadline is February 7th, 2014. Read more here. Leading the North conference Be part of the conversation on the development of Alberta s energy resources and diverse economy, Register for Leading the North conference. Two new schools for Fort McMurray These school projects are two of six new Alberta schools being announced this December. Together, the new schools will provide 4,200 new student spaces. Read more. New Pipeline Training Centre a first in Canada Pipeline training centre will help with Northern Gateway expansion plans. Read more. Groundbreaking oil and gas training technology Athabasca University has partnered with Qatar University to develop groundbreaking oil and gas training technology. Read more. YMM Hits Record Passenger Numbers Fort McMurray Airport reached new heights as us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=33868f661d5ea7ac7458b076a&id=8131be3c87&e= 2/7
It has been a busy few months as the Oil Sands Community Alliance moves from transition to into implementation. Most of our stakeholders if not all have been informed of our transition into the OSCA and we continue our work under the re-focused socio-economic mandate. Engagement from our industry partners is ramping up as our three active focus areas aboriginal, community well-being and infrastructure - are attracting industry members who have already rolled up their sleeves and have started meeting and getting to work, setting priorities. Our continued success depends on the commitment and participation of our industry members. We are confident you will continue to support the OSCA to ensure its success in meeting industry s renewed focus on collaboration in proactively responding to changes in the communities where we operate. To learn more please visit our website at www.oscaalberta.ca. passenger numbers for 2013 soared to nearly 1.2 million passengers. Read more. Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations Congratulations to OSCA members Cenovus, Statoil, Shell and Suncor for recognition on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Read more. A Year in Review Have a look back on the top stories in Lac La Biche, from the first and second half of 2013. If you have any questions or comments about our mandate or work with stakeholders in the region, please do not hesitate to contact us. RMWB Top News Looking back on 2013's top news stories in the RMWB. I look forward to working with many of you as we pursue innovative solutions that build thriving communities based on shared values and enable the responsible growth of Canada s oil sands. Lee Funke Interim Executive Director New OSCA website up and running As the Oil Sands Community Alliance continues to settle into its new role, we wanted to let you know that our new website, oscaalberta.ca, is live. A snapshot of our homepage is offered below. Our new portal showcases our four focus areas, noteworthy events from member companies and community stakeholders as well as a link to Twitter. Numerous links are us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=33868f661d5ea7ac7458b076a&id=8131be3c87&e= 3/7
also provided for visitors to our site to get more information about key organizations and programs in the region that support the people who work in the industry and the communities. We invite you to visit our new site and check back frequently for more information about the OSCA s activities. Aboriginal Focus Area Building on successful relationships within the Wood Buffalo and Lac La Biche Aboriginal companies, who performed over $1.8 billion in contract work with OSCA member companies in 2012, the Aboriginal Focus Area strives to incorporate best practices and to collaborate in maximizing opportunities for aboriginal participation in economic development in Alberta s oil sands. The Aboriginal Focus Area has completed a framework for an education and employment environmental scan that they are undertaking in 2014 to understand current programs, services, existing needs and gaps. This work will help define the industry s strategic priorities in the aboriginal education and skills development space. An aboriginal business development task group will be us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=33868f661d5ea7ac7458b076a&id=8131be3c87&e= 4/7
established in early 2014 to focus on identifying and building synergistic partners with aboriginal business organizations and associations to enhance aboriginal business capacity, skills and knowledge. For more information on this focus area please contact Brandi Gartner, brandi.gartner@oscaalberta.ca. Community Well-being OSCA members are dedicated to community well-being and they continue to support local community groups and social profit organizations. Our members made corporate donations of over $10 million in 2012 to groups and organizations in the Wood Buffalo and Lac La Biche regions. Additionally, our members contributed over $8 million in 2012 to Aboriginal communities in the Wood Buffalo and Lac La Biche regions for school and youth programs, celebrations, cultural events, literacy, community projects and other programs. The Community Well-Being Focus Area is actively working with industry members to identify priorities that enhance their support and community involvement within the oil sands region. Currently, a health task group is discussing communityspecific public determinants of health and identifying opportunities, resources and programs that will enhance community and employee health. Early in 2014, we will be developing a task group to work with community partners in identifying a common community sustainable indicators strategy that will provide a basis for a data-oriented approach to regional planning, priority setting and strategies. For more information on this focus area please contact Brandi Gartner, brandi.gartner@oscaalberta.ca. Infrastructure A new OSCA Infrastructure Focus Area committee has been established and is dedicating its attention to four priority working areas. Two of these, Ground Transportation and Aviation, have task groups already actively engaged in initiatives to ensure the region has appropriate infrastructure in place to improve public safety, increase productivity, promote sustainability and ensure the competitiveness of Alberta s oil sands industry. These include efforts to prioritize and bring about the timely completion of key transportation infrastructure projects, identify quick wins for reducing congestion and improving safety, and ensure that the burgeoning aviation sector develops in an efficient and coordinated manner. The groundwork is also being laid for the establishment of task groups to promote collaboration in the areas of Camps and Power & Co-Generation, beginning in early 2014. The OSCA continues to pursue projects with its partners including the Government of Alberta that address traffic us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=33868f661d5ea7ac7458b076a&id=8131be3c87&e= 5/7
congestion issues. We re pleased to have participated in local infrastructure projects that have now been completed to improve the traffic network. The re-furbished Grant MacEwan Bridge opened even months ahead of schedule this year meaning there are now three bridges crossing the Athabasca River as a single network. The Athabasca Bridge, completed in October 2011, has Alberta s largest bridge deck, and the Steinhauer Bridge, completed in early 2013, was widened and the deck was completely rebuilt. The completion of this work highlights industry s continuing efforts in increase the safe transport of people and goods in our area. For more information on this focus area, please contact Marvin Schneider, marvin.schneider@oscaalberta.ca. Top Tweets Cenovus Energy @cenovus Check the label on your clothes where were they made? #Oil helped transport them here http://t.co/ayzhzdgtsh #oilsands101 Alberta Education @AlbertaEd Honor a great teacher submit a nomination for the Excellence in Teaching Awards by Feb 7 http://t.co/azpuaxotow #AbEd #BuildingAlberta Oilsand Developments @OilsandNews Hot of the press! Oil Sands Daily is out! Edition of Jan 28, 2014. http://t.co/wzpkdlmgbs Don't Tweet & Drive @DontTwive If you are driving, your Tweets can be killer. Don't Tweet & Drive #TweetSafe Conference Board Cda @ConfBoardofCda Download a FREE report by our @CFN_Team that highlights several strengthbased #Aboriginal youth wellness strategies. http://t.co/1vnjur4osg Shell Oil Company @Shell_US In wintry weather, use the recommended engine oil to help improve fuel mileage. Get more tips. http://t.co/gntew3ppox pic.twitter.com/hmak2ycdmd us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=33868f661d5ea7ac7458b076a&id=8131be3c87&e= 6/7
Syncrude Canada Ltd. @SyncrudeCanada Syncrude turns 50 this year! To celebrate we'll be tweeting achievements/milestones/photos each week using #Syncrude50. #ymm #oilsands Copyright 2014 Oil Sands Community Alliance, All rights reserved. us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=33868f661d5ea7ac7458b076a&id=8131be3c87&e= 7/7