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The Oil Sands Developers Group deals with issues related to the development of resources
within the Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit region of Alberta. The region
includes the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. An issues management
process is used to prioritize the issues and decide the best course of
action to study and develop strategies to resolve the issue. One of the
strategies to deal with an issue is to form a committee. Our volunteer
committee members bring a wealth of talent and resources to the issue and
are the backbone of The Oil Sands Developers Group. It is through their efforts that the committees are able to promptly deal with many local and industry concerns. To learn more about the
The Oil Sands Developers Group committees and the issues they are handling, please select a link below:
- All issues are brought to The Oil Sands Developers Group from any source
- The Oil Sands Developers Group Board of Directors reviews each issue and assigns it to:
- a committee of The Oil Sands Developers Group
- a new committee of The Oil Sands Developers Group
- another agency or committee with the mandate to handle
the issue
- The Oil Sands Developers Group follows up and receives updates that the issue is
being addressed in a timely fashion.
Issue Management Process within The Oil Sands
Developers Group Committees
- All issues are reviewed for completeness and
understanding
- A priority is assigned
- Relevant stakeholders are invited to address the
issue
- The scope of work is reviewed with input from new
stakeholders
- The issue is reviewed for completeness, availability
of data and shortfalls identified.
- Studies may be carried out if data is insufficient
- Information is collated and passed on to the
appropriate regulatory body
- Progress and findings are reported to The Oil Sands
Developers Group committee and Board of Directors on a
continuous basis
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Mandate
- To provide a forum for open discussion of
issues.
- Identify issues related to the impacts of
resource development on Aboriginal peoples living
within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and
engage the The Oil Sands Developers Group Issues Management Process where
appropriate.
- Recommend to the Board of Directors strategies to address
issues
- Implement strategies approved by the Board of
Directors
Current Discussions
- Pace and scale of development with the
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
- Athabasca Tribal Council All Parties Core
Agreement
- Consultation and Regional Benefits Agreement
- Honorariums
- Metis relations
- Aboriginal employment and training
- Government of Alberta Consultation Framework
- Industry Relations Corporations
For related documents on aboriginal affairs,
please select one of the links below.
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Mandate
- To provide a forum to share, discuss
and disseminate information in support
of ensuring that electricity
transmission capabilities to deliver,
export and distribute electricity to and
from the Fort McMurray and Cold Lake
areas are sufficient to match present
and future needs of oil sands producers
so that oil sands development is not
hampered or burdened by lack of
transmission and that opportunities to
produce electricity from and in concert
with oil sands development are fostered.
- To provide a forum to share, discuss
and disseminate information in support
of ensuring that government regulation
and regulatory processes recognize and
support opportunities for the
development of new electricity
generation in concert with and as a part
of new oil sands development for the
provincial, inter provincial and
international markets.
- Identify issues related to resource
development, co-generation and
transmission in the Regional
Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) and
engage in the The Oil Sands Developers
Group Issues Management
Process.
- To produce an annual co-generation
forecast report for the region
encompassing the Regional
Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Current Discussions
- Availability of electricity
transmission capacity out of Fort
McMurray
- Electricity congestion
management
To view a copy of the 2008 RIWG/OSDG
Co-generation/Transmission Report,
please select the link below:
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top
Mandate
- Create understanding and
support for The Oil Sands
Developers Group among key
stakeholders.
- Ensure The Oil Sands
Developers Group is one of
the most credible, accurate,
current and accessible
sources of information on
overall oil sands
development.
- Ensure The Oil Sands
Developers Group members have
the opportunity to provide
input on communications
strategies, key message
development and public
statements.
- Identify communications
issues that should be
addressed through the The
Oil Sands Developers Group
Issues Management Process,
and work with other
committees as required to
resolve issues.
- Recommend communication
strategies to The Oil Sands
Developers Group
Board of Directors. Implement as
approved.
- Demonstrate, when
appropriate, that the oil
sands industry speaks with
one voice and is working
together to address issues.
- Recommend The Oil Sands
Developers Group
spokesperson for media
inquiries and provide key
messages as approved by
Communications Committee
Current Discussions
- The Oil Sands
Developers Groups annual
communications plan
- Implementation of
The Oil Sands Developers
Group communications
strategy
- Coordination of
regional tours events as
approved by the Board
- Image of Fort
McMurray, the oil sands
industry and region
- Industry
participation in
government consultation
processes
- Development of The
Oil Sands Developers
Group
survey and forecast
reports, fact sheets and
key messages
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Mandate
- Promote mutual
understanding
between The Oil
Sands Developers
Group members
and the Northern
Lights Health Region
(NLHR) on health
care delivery issues
and oil sands
development impacts
to the Athabasca oil
sands deposit
region.
- Ensure NLHR
issues are on the
agendas of relevant
Oil Sands Developers
Group committees (ie,
Communication,
Housing)
- Ensure NLHR
issues are reflected
in The Oil Sands
Developers Group work on
the Wood Buffalo
Business Case
- Explore possible
synergies between
The Oil Sands
Developers Group members and NLHR in health
delivery solutions
Current
Discussions
- Facilitate
enhanced
capability
within the
Northern Lights
Health Region
- Proactively
support growth
of addictions
and mental
health programs
and facilities
- Seek
opportunities to
cooperate with
the NLHR in
normal course of
The Oil Sands
Developers Group member
company
business, e.g.
spousal
co-recruitment,
information
sharing
- Enhance
communications
and
understanding
between industry
and the Northern
Lights Health
Region:
- Engage
regularly with
NLHR to
communicate
industry
development
plans
- Ensure NLHR
is fully
informed of The
Oil Sands
Developers Group
member companies
health
facilities,
capabilities and
statistics,
- Develop an
integrated
approach to
pandemic
planning:
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Mandate
- To
identify
issues
related to
the impacts
of resource
development
on housing
within the
Regional
Municipality
of Wood
Buffalo.
- Identify
issues to be
addressed
and engage
The Oil
Sands
Developers
Group Issues
Management
Process.
-
Recommend to
the Board of
Directors
strategies
identified
to address
the issues.
-
Implement
strategies
approved by
The Oil
Sands
Developers
Group
Board of
Directors.
- Develop
population
and housing
demand
forecasts (Urban
Population
Model)
- Promote
collaboration
between the
Government
of Alberta
and the Regional Municipality
of Wood Buffalo for
long term
land release
planning
- Promote
long term
sustainable
supply/demand
balance for
housing
- Maintain
relevant
statistics
on housing
(prices,
starts,
turn-over),
rental
units, and
industry
camp
populations
- Prepare
quarterly
variance
analysis of
housing
progress for
the Board of
Directors
- Review
rural
housing
issues in
terms of
land
release.
Current
Discussions
-
Availability
of
affordable
apartments.
- CMHC
view of
the Fort
McMurray
community.
-
Information
required
to assist
in
maintaining
a stable
housing
market.
-
Release
of land
for
housing
development
-
Development
of the
2008
Urban
Population
and
Housing
forecasts
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the top
Mandate
- To develop a vision for recommendation to The Oil Sands Developers Group Board of Directors, of how the current regional committee structure (CEMA, RAMP, WBEA, etc.), processes, products and tools could be clarified, simplified and improved to significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the current system.
- To provide an industry forum to discuss issues related to potential environmental impacts of oil sands development.
- To ascertain which issues are of a regional nature (vs. project specific) and identify appropriate forum.
- To develop and/or endorse recommended industry position on proposed scopes/deliverables, schedules and budgets for items that are regional in nature.
- To provide a forum to discuss issues related to potential regulatory process/issues with potential impact on oil sands development.
- To develop and/or endorse industry responses to regulatory process/issues with potential impact on oil sands development. (see Note 1)
- To utilize The Oil Sands Developers Group Issues Management Process, as applicable.
- To ensure each representative�s Board member is kept apprised of issues/recommendations worked/made by the committee.
Current Discussions
- Scope of work to be done under CEMA, WBEA, or RAMP
- Prioritization and funding of work, including elimination of overlap/duplication and gaps.
- Communication between industry members and approach with regional groups /stakeholders /regulators.
- Regional regulatory initiatives by Government of Alberta ministries
- Response to Government of Alberta initiative Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (BATEA)
- Industry response to In-Stream Flow Needs (Athabasca River)
- Emissions guidelines
- Government process for fulfilling consultation obligations and setting regional environmental work priorities
To view a copy of documents developed by the committee, select the link below:
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Mandate
- To provide a forum for open discussion of issues facing oil sands producers with projects located in the southern portion of the Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit.
- Identify issues related to the impacts of resource development.
- Identify opportunities to collaborate on infrastructure development, environmental initiatives, communications efforts, and effects of development on Aboriginal peoples living within the province of Alberta and within proximity to the southern border of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
- To engage The Oil Sands Developers Group Issues Management Process where appropriate and recommend to the Board of Directors strategies to address issues.
- Implement strategies approved by the Board of Directors.
- To act as the central committee for southern oil sands company initiatives and to create sub-committees as-required.
Current Discussions
- Document discussions/issues/successes from regional agreements
- Evaluate regional organization(s) developed and make recommendations to The Oil Sands Developers Group Board of Directors on initiatives to build positive relationships;
- Work with broader The Oil Sands Developers Group Board of Directors to ensure issues specific to southern producers can be moved to the appropriate government level, and communicated as having equal priority to that of mining operations in the northern half of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
- Pace and scale of development within the southern part of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and the northern portion of MD 87 out of Lac La Biche
- Consultation and Regional Benefits Agreement communication
- Infrastructure needs (ie. communications, airstrips)
- Multiple project effects and communication for southern communities of Anzac, Janvier, Chard, Conklin, Heart Lake, Lac la Biche
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Mandate
- To identify industry issues and needs related to impacts of resource development on transportation within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
- Identify industry issues to be addressed and engage The Oil Sands Developers Group Issues Management Process.
- Recommend to the Board of Directors strategies identified to address issues.
- Implement strategies approved by the Board of Directors.
Current Discussions
- Achieving greater certainty on funding and timing of The Oil Sands Developers Group Near Term Transportation Priority List
- Commencing Long-Term Transportation Planning
- Obtaining critical traffic information for roads within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
- Producing a forecast of industry heavy load movements
- Compilation of a briefing document listing issues, resolutions, status of work done, and studies available that can be used as a reference of transportation issues in the region.
- Review and propose strategies for improvement of the connector road between Highway 881 and Highway 63
- Update the Board of Directors regularly on transportation issues in the region
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Mandate
- Recommend through The Oil Sands Developers Group Board of Directors, strategies and actions that support the safe, timely and efficient mobilization of the oil sands projects workforce and the community at large.
- Collaborate with relevant government departments toward maximizing and improving road traffic and overall transit infrastructure for worker and community mobility in the Wood Buffalo Region.
- Identify industry issues to be addressed and engage The Oil Sands Developers Group Issues Management Process.
Current Discussions
- Identify and develop collaborative industry strategies and actions to reduce the transit times and optimize vehicular traffic associated with workforce mobilization.
- Work with the existing Oil Sands Developers Group Transportation Committee to develop solutions that compliment and enhance solutions developed for the movement of equipment.
- Work with relevant government departments to identify and prioritize infrastructure improvement projects.
- Identify short, medium and long term strategies to maximize the efficient, safe and timely mobilization of the workforce.
- Maintain a communications strategy that informs stakeholders of progress
- Act as a centre of information to assist member companies in accessing shared knowledge and experience regarding transit issues
- Recognize that by eliminating or minimizing transportation risks and barriers through a collaborative approach, we improve:
- Safety for our employees, contractors and the community
- Quality of life through more predictable and consistent travel times
- Attraction and retention of new and existing workforce to the Wood Buffalo region
- Our collaboration with stakeholders to maximize synergies and appropriately contribute to the execution of priority work
- Communications regarding changes, impacts and project status for transit issues
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