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:


Issue Management Process within The Oil Sands Developers Group

  1. All issues are brought to The Oil Sands Developers Group from any source
  2. The Oil Sands Developers Group Board of Directors reviews each issue and assigns it to: 
    1. a committee of The Oil Sands Developers Group
    2. a new committee of The Oil Sands Developers Group
    3. another agency or committee with the mandate to handle the issue
  3. 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

  1. All issues are reviewed for completeness and understanding
  2. A priority is assigned
  3. Relevant stakeholders are invited to address the issue
  4. The scope of work is reviewed with input from new stakeholders
  5. The issue is reviewed for completeness, availability of data and shortfalls identified.
  6. Studies may be carried out if data is insufficient
  7. Information is collated and passed on to the appropriate regulatory body
  8. Progress and findings are reported to The Oil Sands Developers Group committee and Board of Directors on a continuous basis

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Aboriginal Affairs Committee

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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Co-generation/Transmission Committee

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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Communications Committee

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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Health Care Committee

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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Housing Committee

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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Regional Environmental and Regulatory Affairs

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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Southern Athabasca Oilsands Producers

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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Transportation Committee

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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Transit Sub-Committee (under the Transportation Committee)

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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