|  | Consultation & Cooperation
The consultation process for Kearl began in 1997 when Mobil Oil Canada first announced the Kearl Project. Since that time, Imperial has been involved in many discussions, meetings, presentations and workshops to consult with stakeholders in an effort to address their concerns in our project plans.
In many cases, Imperial has entered into agreements that outline the parties’ commitments and goforward plan in working with these stakeholders. Agreements have been concluded with: the community of Fort McKay that covers First Nation and Metis Local 163 residents; in Fort Chipewyan with the the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the Mikisew Cree First Nation; Metis Local 1935 residents of Fort McMurray; the Northern Lights Health Authority; the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Keyano College. We also have cooperation agreements with adjacent leaseholders to help coordinate interactions along our common boundaries. In addition, we have agreements with neighbours regarding resource and land-use issues arising from the Kearl facilities.
These agreements have resolved many issues. However, we recognize that consultation is an ongoing process. We are committed to engaging stakeholders in the region and will continue to consult with them as the Kearl project moves forward.
Imperial takes Aboriginal concerns very seriously. We have been in discussion with Aboriginal communities in the area for the last few years and we know the process is really just beginning. We are committed to continuing to ask, listen and learn, to find out what the Aboriginal needs are and how they are evolving over time. Traditional ecological knowledge and the advice of elders and other community members have been incorporated into Kearl’s design. Imperial intends to continue this process as we move forward.
> To learn more about our commitment, read our “Aboriginal Relations Guiding Principles and Guidelines”.
We have responded to Aboriginal feedback by providing hunting and traditional land use access to areas of our leases that are not being actively mined. We have also included the construction of a deep extension to Kearl Lake which will replace lost fish habitat with at least two times more habitat and allow over-wintering in the future. In addition, we’ve introduced specific workplace and operating policies which are sensitive to Aboriginal concerns. We are also committed to including elders in the review of our reclamation plans.
Imperial believes that multi-stakeholder groups serve a valuable role by encouraging diverse inputs and working to develop balanced recommendations. We participate in the All Parties Core Agreement (APCA) between industry and the Athabasca Tribal Council (which represents the five First Nations in the region). Through the APCA, these First Nations have developed Industrial Relations Corporations (IRCs) as a vehicle for consultation, and we will work with them to address regional issues such as training, education and employment.
Traditional Knowledge
Imperial has funded traditional land use studies to gain a better understanding of traditional knowledge relating to the Kearl lease area and surrounding region. Through interviews with elders and site visits, the studies are used to map and inventory traditional land uses such as medicinal plant areas, game trails and animal habitats, as well as sacred and ceremonial grounds. The collection of this information provides an important cultural resource for Aboriginal communities and supports informed dialogue throughout consultation and development. In late 2007, for example, Imperial, along with other companies, sponsored a traditional land use study for the Wood Buffalo Elders Society in northern Alberta.
|
| |
