Aboriginal Engagement

Husky respects the inherent constitutional rights of Canada’s Aboriginal people. The Company’s relationships with Aboriginal communities are built on cooperation, transparency and consultation to further mutual interests.

Formal community-based agreements are in place to ensure the Company has the processes and resources to facilitate business development, employment and community investment. Early consultation takes place in the first stages of project planning to acknowledge Aboriginal rights, and includes traditional land use studies and interviews with Elders.

Academic options can lead to improved career choices and Husky has a program to enhance the opportunities available to Aboriginal youth.

The Company awards scholarships to Aboriginal students pursuing post-secondary education related to careers in the oil and gas sector. Scholarships are based on academic achievement, work experience and community involvement. Students awarded scholarships are able to gain work experience through summer employment and co-op positions, where they are paired with mentors sharing technical knowledge and offering career guidance.

In 2014, nine students were placed at the head office in Calgary and at facilities in Ram River and Rainbow Lake to gain experience in various areas, including operations, engineering, geology and geophysics, legal and human resources.

Husky and its partner in the Sunrise Energy Project invested $1 million in 2014 to improve skills training for residents of Fort McKay, Alberta. The Company also supports SCcyber, which provides life skills and upgrading courses to residents in Aboriginal communities in northern Alberta and northeast B.C. In 2014, the program had 19 students enrolled in 35 courses.

The Company participated in community events throughout Western Canada and in the Northwest Territories, including:

• The new Fort McKay Youth Centre in Fort McKay, Alberta
• The Kahkiyow Keykanow Elders Care Home in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta
• The hot breakfast program at Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita, N.W.T.

A keen focus is placed on building capacity in Aboriginal businesses to establish competitiveness and develop entrepreneurs. Opportunities are created for goods and services to be provided on a competitive basis, with contracts awarded based on technical and safety criteria, as well as pricing.

Husky’s procurement strategy provides for the participation of Aboriginal businesses to bid on work for operations located near their communities.

To further support its efforts to foster economic development with Aboriginal partners, the Company is a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA) and the Circle for Aboriginal Relations (CFAR) Society.