In the Wood Buffalo region and Edmonton, Syncrude and our people are major contributors to such efforts. We are demonstrating both the heart and commitment to improve our part of the world.
Arctic Winter Games a Major Success
Syncrude was a major contributor to the success of the 2004 Arctic Winter Games held in Fort McMurray. The Games brought together more than 2,000 student athletes and other delegates from the world’s circumpolar regions for a week of competition and cultural events. In addition to cash and in-kind sponsorship from Syncrude of $192,000, the Games were enabled in part by the volunteer efforts of hundreds of Syncrude employees.
Another Record United Way Campaign
Syncrude employees once again topped their previous record of support for the United Way, and also increased their participation in the annual fundraising campaign. For 2004, employee donations in Fort McMurray and Edmonton approached $610,000, while donor participation increased by four per cent. Their contributions were bolstered by a corporate contribution of $90,000, for record total contributions of almost $700,000.
10 Years for Community Careers Cooperative 
A groundbreaking collaboration co-founded by Syncrude to develop and train a new generation of skilled workers is celebrating 10 years of success. The Community Cooperative Apprenticeship Program was started in 1994 to address a looming shortage of people skilled in the trades and technologies. It has now graduated 140 students, 70 of whom work at Syncrude. Another 126 students are currently enrolled, with 78 of them apprenticing at Syncrude. The program has helped realize opportunity for young people in the Wood Buffalo region, while also enabling regional employers to meet their workforce needs. Syncrude representatives serve on its Advisory Council and Board of Directors.
New Community Sport and Wellness Centre
Syncrude has provided key support for the new Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre at Keyano College. The centre is the first significant addition of its type to the recreational infrastructure of Fort McMurray in 20 years. It is expected to open in 2007. Syncrude’s multi-year donation totalling $800,000 also provides support for Keyano Theatre’s Arts Alive Series and student scholarships.
Corporate Giving Program 1
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | |
| Community Investment Program (CIP) | $1,692,000 | $1,591,200 | $1,867,160 | $1,525,000 | $1,250,000 |
| Gifts in Kind | $121,315 | $232,937 | $180,512 | $280,788 | $270,135 |
| Total | $1,813,315 | $1,824,137 | $2,047,672 | $1,805,788 | $1,520,135 |
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1 Syncrude’s Corporate Giving Program is subject to formal internal and owner audits, and also is governed by three committees of Syncrude employees to ensure strategic objectives are being met. |
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Boost for Community Medical Needs
Stepping in to fill a critical gap in the health area, Syncrude is providing $800,000 to support the purchase of medical equipment for the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre. The Centre serves a rapidly growing population and the donation will help foster a continued high level of patient care. Because of population demographics, the Northern Lights Health Region receives the lowest per capita public funding in Alberta and, as a result, relies almost exclusively on donations to purchase medical equipment.
New Child Development Centre
Thanks in part to a $450,000 donation from Syncrude, the YMCA of Wood Buffalo has been able to create the new Oil Sands Child Development Centre. The centre is located in a former school that needed major renovations and upgrades to make it suitable for this new use. Each day, the Centre serves more than 400 children with its pre-school, day care and after-school care programs.
Actions taken by Syncrude in response to stakeholder concerns raised during our stakeholder engagement processes are noted throughout this report; these actions are indicated by the symbol.
