As part of our ongoing commitment to work with Aboriginal communities, and in an effort to strengthen the communication process, Suncor worked with the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN) Industry Relations Corporation (IRC) to create the Suncor Advisory Committee. The new group, which held its first meeting in October 2008, is intended to help create a stronger relationship between the MCFN and Suncor. The committee is focused on building relationships and identifying ways for Suncor and the MCFN to work together.

The advisory committee's first meeting was attended by ten MCFN members, who toured Suncor's oil sands operations to see first-hand Suncor's work to protect the environment. Water quantity and quality are a big concern to MCFN members, so this tour focused on and explained Suncor's use of Athabasca River water. Major stops included the tailings pond system, groundwater monitoring wells, a water sampling point where treated wastewater from the work camps is sampled and monitored, and the pond system where fresh, cooling and industrial water is stored, recycled and treated.

The committee plans to meet up to four times per year including two annual tours of Suncor and Firebag operations.

Suncor also updates the Mikisew Cree First Nation about our oil sands business through special editions of the In Your Community newsletter.