Who We Are
Alberta’s oil sands deposits contain the second largest reserve of oil in the world, an estimated 173 billion barrels of crude bitumen over 140,000 square kilometers. In recent years, new technology and high oil prices have driven rapid development of this resource.
Oil sands projects have increased from two to over 20, with $100 billion in investment underway or proposed, over the last decade. This growth has challenged the local communities and the province in relation to the environment, social services and infrastructure.
In February 2007, the government approved the establishment of the Oil Sands Sustainable Development Secretariat within Alberta Treasury Board to create a comprehensive and coordinated approach to managing the oil sands. The Secretariat has hired seven permanent staff with wide ranging expertise—in engineering, geology, economics, Aboriginal relations, business administration, project management, and stakeholder relations—to work with varied ministries, integrating and aligning initiatives across government. At the same time they are reaching out to hundreds of key stakeholders in the oil sands regions.
The Oil Sands Secretariat works with other ministries, including the Oil Sands divisions in Alberta Environment, Alberta Energy and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.
