Public Notice
Suncor Base Mine Extension Project — Participant Funding Available

June 1, 2020 — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) is making funding available through its Participant Funding Program to assist the participation of the public and Indigenous peoples in the federal impact assessment for the proposed Suncor Base Mine Extension Project, located approximately three kilometres north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

Funding is available for eligible individuals and groups to assist their participation in the upcoming steps of the impact assessment's planning phase, specifically for reviewing and providing comments on the draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and the draft Public Participation Plan. Once this phase is complete, the public and Indigenous peoples will have another opportunity to apply for funding to assist their participation in the other phases of the impact assessment process.

Applications received by June 22, 2020, will be considered.

The Agency recognizes that it is more challenging to undertake meaningful public engagement and Indigenous consultation in light of the circumstances arising from COVID-19. The Agency continues to assess the situation with key stakeholders, make adjustments to consultation activities, and is providing flexibility as needed in order to prioritize the health and safety of all Canadians, while maintaining its duty to conduct meaningful engagement with interested groups.

The Agency will determine if a federal impact assessment is required for the project and if one is required, recipients and the amount of funding allocated will be announced at a later date. If the Agency determines a federal impact assessment is not required, no funds will be allocated and there will be no further opportunity to apply for funding for this project.

To apply for funding, complete the Application Form for the Planning Phase available on the Agency's website at canada.ca/iaac under Funding Programs. For more information, contact the Participant Funding Program by writing to iaac.FP-PAF.aeic@canada.ca, or by calling 1-866-582-1884.

Follow us on Twitter: @IAAC_AEIC #SuncorBaseMine

The Proposed Project

Suncor Energy Inc. is proposing to develop the Base Mine Extension Project to sustain the supply of bitumen to the existing upgraders at Suncor's Oil Sands Base Plant operation. The project includes an open pit mining operation and associated infrastructure that is required to supply oil sands to new bitumen froth production facilities and deliver bitumen froth by pipeline to the existing Base Plant facilities where further processing occurs, including upgrading into various product blends for market. The project is located adjacent to existing Base Plant operations north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The project's footprint is anticipated to be approximately 20 000 hectares.

More information on this project is available on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry website, Registry reference number 80521.