Other Locations: June 8 Millarville June 8 Vulcan June 9 Pincher Creek June 19 Red Deer June 20 Drayton Valley June 21 Rocky Mtn. House June 22 Sundre June 24 Grande Prairie June 26 Edson June 27 Hinton June 28 Leduc June 29 Calgary Summary Aboriginal Summary Response Forms Summary Written Forms

Provincial Advisory Committee on Sour Gas and Public Safety First Nation/Metis Sessions Summary Process: To provide the First Nation and Metis organizations and communities with the opportunity to present the Advisory Committee with their issues, concerns and solutions related to sour gas and public health and safety, a series of 10 discussion sessions were conducted from May through August. These small group meetings involved representatives from each of the participating First Nations and Metis organizations and communities, members of the Advisory Committee, and senior representatives from the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB). Each of the discussion sessions was conducted within the local communities or organization offices. Opportunity for written submission was also provided however none were received. Sessions Overview: The ten First Nations/Metis sessions generated a series of key and common issues related to sour gas. These included: (1) the need for increased public awareness and education among First Nation and Metis communities related to the issues surrounding sour gas; (2) concern about the effectiveness of Emergency Response Plans (ERP) and their familiarity with them so they are able to ensure the safety of the First Nations communities; (3) issues about the negative impact of development on traditional lands and sacred sites; and, (4) the need for improved communication between the EUB, the companies and First Nations and Metis people. The following summary has been organized into three topic categories, including (1) Prevention, Policy and Jurisdiction; (2) Event Consequence Management; and, (3) Communication and Compensation. These topic categories correspond with the Advisory Committee's three working groups, which have been established to assess and address specific aspects of the issues surrounding public health and safety and sour gas. The key points from the First Nations and Metis Discussion Sessions have been summarized within each of the topic categories, as follows: Prevention, Policy and Jurisdiction Some of the community representatives suggested that the EUB should increase audits and inspections to ensure that companies are following regulations and that regulations should be enforced more strictly. EUB regulations should be more 'user friendly' and accessible to the public was noted by a few of the groups. It was suggested by some that companies and the EUB need to be more involved with First Nation communities. A few groups indicated that more advanced notice of proposed development is required and that more consideration should be given to traditional lands; hunting areas; traplines and sacred sites. Several participant groups suggested that there should be more First Nations employment within the local industry and First Nations contractors should be hired for work on Reserves -- there is not enough local employment provided by the oil and gas industry. Activity off or adjacent to Reserves that does not respect traditional areas or sacred sites was identified as an issue by some of the community groups and organizations. Suggestion was made for the creation of an EUB Committee with First Nations representation, possibly elders, funded by Government, to address these kinds of issues. A few indicated that the regulations should include a structure or process so that First Nations and Metis people can address issues with regulators. Currently, there are too many jurisdictions and the process is convoluted. A few of the participating groups indicated that there is a perception that governments decisions favor the oil and gas industry because of economic gain. The application and decision making process not appropriately considering traditional lands was identified as an issue by a few participant groups. Some indicated that there needs to be a centralized process to inform First Nations and Metis people and involve them in decision making about sour gas. A few groups stated that jurisdiction needs to be clearer and interaction between the decision-making bodies needs to be improved. Event Consequence Management There is a general concern among First Nations and Metis groups that participated in the discussion sessions about the health and safety of the community and the protection of the environment -- fear in the community about sour gas being deadly. Some of the communities indicated a variety of health concerns (headaches, kidney disease, respiratory problems, cancer) that may be a result of sour gas activity. One community indicated that health impacts rose following a burst pipeline. There is concern about leaks and smells associated with sour gas among a few of the communities. Suggest that there should be detectors at various locations on the Reserves. Several communities are worried about various emissions and the cumulative impacts on the health of humans, animals and the environment. One of the communities was concerned about the proximity of a flare to a school and the resulting negative health impacts to the children. They indicated that they have seen a rise in asthma and respiratory problems in the community. One of the communities has experienced effects from the Lodgepole blowout including: increased health problems (asthma, respiratory problems), smell, and environmental effects. There are health concerns on some of the Reserves (asthma, respiratory problems) that are believed to have a direct relationship to sour gas emissions. Stress and anxiety about the possible negative effects of sour gas was cited as an issue in some of the communities. There was a suggestion by a few groups that setback distances should be larger and site specific and should consider prevailing winds. One of the First Nations group have done some preliminary work on an ERP and have partnered with Fort Saskatchewan and are working with other First Nations. Changes in company ownership have effected the progress of one of the ERPs. It was suggested that companies need to provide more information about ERPs and evacuation plans. There is a general anxiety among some of the communities about the threat of sour gas incidents and concern that ERPs will not effectively protect their people. A few communities indicated that ERPs are not effectively communicated and there is fear within the community. There needs to be more interaction and participation with and from the community. One community has received some funding to develop an ERP but it is not enough. There is concern within this community about the effectiveness of an ERP given the uniqueness of the community (contact, evacuation). The community is very discouraged. The companies have been invited to participate in developing an ERP by one of the communities, but there has been little cooperation. One community indicated that their ERP has major communications flaws related to notification and evacuation. The community has attempted to develop their own plan that more effectively addresses the needs of the community (marshal stations, evacuation plans, alternative routes). It was suggested that visible monitors would be effective and would better protect the community and serve to reduce some of the anxiety in the community. One group suggested that development by oil and gas companies in traditional lands has provided more access (roads) for First Nations people, but has been harmful to the plants and animals. There is concern about the impact of sour gas development on the health of game animals among a few of the communities. A few groups suggested that more research is required related to the effects of sour gas on game animals and its impacts on hunting and trapping Communication and Compensation Several groups and organizations indicated that information sharing between the companies, the EUB and First Nations communities needs to be increased. Most of the First Nations and Metis participants suggested that there is a need to raise public awareness within First Nations communities about the issues related to sour gas. ERPs were noted by a few communities are requiring particular attention in terms of public awareness and education. It was suggested by some that community workshops, presented in a format that is appropriate for First Nations/Metis people would be beneficial for raising public awareness. A suggestion was made for First Nations facilitators to conduct community workshops. Another group indicated that, to raise awareness, educational programs/curriculum within the school are needed. Some suggested a need for more information resources and more funding for public awareness, particularly from the Federal Government. The suggestion was made by some that more interaction between the communities, the industry and the EUB is required and that there needs to be more First Nations people within the industry and the EUB -- it validates the public participation process. Issues with regard to companies' response time related to complaints and concerns about the attitude of the companies were presented by some of the groups. One group indicated that companies put locks on gates and restrict access to hunting and trapping. A few groups indicated that contractors are not always sensitive to diversity and are arrogant and there have been communication problems and animosity. A few community representatives indicated that companies and the EUB are not effectively communicating with their communities. It was suggested that local First Nations committees are required. One group indicated that communication needs to be improved between the industry, the community and emergency services. One community identified a need for improved cellular communication -- a new transmission station. One organization suggested that Aboriginal people need to be given tangible involvement. The communication and consultation process needs to be improved.