Consultation & communication

Involving local stakeholders in project planning has been part and parcel of Kearl’s objectives from the project’s inception. Informal and formal consultations and meetings are held throughout the year to update nearby community members on project status and to discuss important concerns such as water usage, land reclamation and employment opportunities. Consultation is an ongoing process and Imperial Oil management is committed to continuous dialogue with Aboriginal neighbours.

Kearl has agreements in place with the community of Fort McKay, covering First Nation and Metis Local 163 residents; in Fort Chipewyan with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the Mikisew Cree First Nation; Metis Local 1935 in Fort McMurray; the Northern Lights Health Authority; the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Keyano College. Kearl also has cooperation agreements with adjacent leaseholders to coordinate interactions along common boundary areas.

Kearl benefits from the industry representation that the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the Oil Sands Developers Group (OSDG) provides. Through these organizations Kearl is able to work with other producers to seek collective solutions to the challenges of responsible development. Leadership representing Imperial Oil and the Kearl project team sit on management teams within CAPP and the OSDG to provide the organizations with strategic insight and guidance.

Both CAPP and the OSDG work closely with other industry producers, local communities and regulators – among other stakeholders – to address common issues affecting sustainable and responsible production. Both organizations also have a strong focus on communication. They facilitate a flow of factual information about oil sands development in Canada on their websites.