Indigenous perspectives and involvement in responsible development are essential to the success of Canada’s energy industry as it works along a path to shared prosperity and reduced environmental impact.

That’s why Kendall Dilling, president of Pathways Alliance, says the organization was proud to be the presenting sponsor in the panel session Fostering Indigenous Inclusion and Economic Empowerment in the Business Community, hosted by the Calgary Chamber on June 27.

"Through meaningful engagement, there is great opportunity for shared success between the group representing Canada’s six largest oil sand producers and Indigenous communities and businesses as they work together to help the country achieve its economic and environmental ambitions," says Kendall.

Hosted at the Calgary Zoo, the Chamber hosted Billie Fortier, Partner at MLT Aikins LLP, Dr. Michael Lickers, a Mohawk educator, and moderator Anne Harding from Forum Community Relations for a discussion surrounding the significant topics of Indigenous inclusion, sustainable economic growth and meaningful action towards reconciliation. It was an impactful and engaging discussion that gave more insights into the experiences and barriers that the Indigenous community faces in the business space, and ways in which they can be supported, elevated and empowered.

Anne Harding, Billie Fortier and Dr. Michael Lickers discussing Indigenous inclusion in the business community. 

Kendall recognizes and believes that collaboration is key when it comes to fostering meaningful connections with the Indigenous community.

“An open and collaborative relationship with Indigenous groups is vital as we progress our ambitious path towards net zero CO2 emissions from oil sands operations,” he says. “We are committed to seeking input from Indigenous leaders and groups who have an essential and living relationship with the land, air and water. We recognize and value the contributions of Indigenous communities as knowledge-keepers, advisors, partners, vendors, suppliers and workers.”

“An open and collaborative relationship with Indigenous groups is vital as we progress our ambitious path towards net zero CO2 emissions from oil sands operations.”

Pathways Alliance has engaged with 25 First Nation and Métis communities, to build trust and meaningful relationships, and to listen to their needs and perspectives as the organization advances technologies key to its plan to reduce emissions from oil sands operations and address the climate change challenge.

Collaborating to achieve net zero

Founded in 2021, the Pathways Alliance is made up of Canadian Natural Resources, Cenovus Energy, ConocoPhillips Canada, Imperial, MEG Energy and Suncor Energy. These companies are working together on an ambitious plan to help meet Canada and Alberta’s 2050 net zero goals and deliver the world’s preferred barrel of responsibly produced oil. 

The Pathways plan is anchored by a major carbon capture and storage (CCS) network. This proposed network will connect oil sands facilities in the Fort McMurray, Christina Lake and Cold Lake regions of northeast Alberta to a carbon storage hub near the Cold Lake region, where liquid CO2 will be stored safely underground. The multi-stage project is anticipated to reduce net CO2 emissions from operations by 10 to 12 million tonnes a year from several oil sands facilities by 2030. That’s about half of Pathways Alliance’s overall goal of reducing emissions from operations (Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions) by 22 million tonnes a year by the end of this decade.

The potential to expand the project to reduce an additional 30 million tonnes per year in subsequent phases makes this CCS project an essential part of the Pathways’ 2050 goal of net zero emissions from operations.

What's on the horizon?

The Pathways Alliance team recognizes the importance of undertaking a robust regulatory and a comprehensive Indigenous consultation and engagement process for the project.

“We are just starting this process and will ensure Indigenous groups are heard, potential concerns are understood and responded to through the life of the project,” says Kendall. After working with governments on appropriate regulatory and co-financing agreements, Pathways Alliance could be ready to begin construction on the projected project by late 2025 or early 2026, he says.

With anticipated co-funding support from Canadian governments, the Alliance has announced plans to invest approximately $24 billion before 2030 in the first phase of its plan. Of the $24 billion, approximately $16.5 billion will support the proposed carbon capture and storage network. The remaining $7.6 billion investment is reserved for major emissions reduction projects and technologies.

Unmatched economic opportunities

The CCS project alone is estimated to create 20,000 to 30,000 jobs per year over the multi-year construction period and thousands of permanent jobs once in operation. Economic spinoffs will be felt in communities in the region, with a ripple effect throughout the province, and ultimately throughout Canada.

“As we go forward, industry is committed to increasing the participation of the Indigenous workforce by focusing on skill development, attraction, and retention initiatives.”

Pathways Alliance member companies have a long and successful history working with Indigenous-owned businesses.

The oil sands industry spent about $2.4 billion on procurement from 275 Indigenous businesses in 2019. The number of Indigenous people working in the oil and gas industry is also growing, making up 7.4% of the industry’s workforce in 2019.

Pathways’ members offer internship, apprenticeship and scholarship programs for Indigenous students, as well as community-based construction and trades training programs for young people preparing for careers in the energy sector.

It supports life skills as well, partnering with organizations that provide leadership programs for Indigenous youth.

“As we go forward, industry is committed to increasing the participation of the Indigenous workforce by focusing on skill development, attraction, and retention initiatives,” says Kendall.

“As we pursue our goal of reaching net zero emissions from operations by 2050, we look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with Indigenous communities and to witnessing opportunities for long-term sustainable revenue and economic empowerment a project like that of Pathways Alliance can provide.”

About Pathways Alliance

Pathways Alliance is the presenting sponsor of the Calgary Chamber's Fostering Inclusion and Economic Empowerment in the Business Community discussion panel.

Pathways Alliance is Canada’s largest oil sands producers working together to address climate change. Their six companies operate about 95% of Canada’s oil sands production.

The Pathways Alliance organization includes an ambitious plan to achieve their goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA)’s environmental innovation work focuses on reducing industry’s impacts to air, water and land while accelerating tailings reclamation, and the Oil Sands Community Alliance (OSCA)’s long-standing commitment of being a collaborative partner in the community to help manage socioeconomic impacts and benefits.

Please visit pathwaysalliance.ca for more information.

Want to join Pathways Alliance as a sponsor at one of our events? Contact sponsorships@calgarychamber.com for more information.