Corporate Governance
Syncrude operates to the highest standards of corporate governance and ethical conduct. Our goal, through honesty and integrity in all of our dealings, is to consistently comply with and meet the expectations we set of ourselves.
Governance and Management Committee – Syncrude Canada Ltd. is a private company incorporated under the Business Corporations Act of Alberta.
Syncrude’s by-laws stipulate that shares in the corporation may only be held by the shareholders (see pg. 55) in proportion to their interest in the Syncrude Joint Venture, and that Syncrude Canada Ltd. may not carry on business or activities other than to act as contract operator of the Syncrude Project on behalf of the shareholders.
The structure and governance of the Syncrude Project includes a Management Committee, which meets regularly and oversees the project on behalf of the Joint Venture participants. Each Joint Venture participant has two representatives, one of which is an alternate on this committee, and votes its percentage interest in the project.
The Management Committee reviews and approves the Syncrude Project’s strategic plans, business plans, annual budget and major capital appropriations. In addition, it reviews overall performance, both operationally and financially. The Management Committee is chaired by one of the Joint Venture participants’ representatives; the Chair is currently held by Marcel Coutu, Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Oil Sands Limited.
TBoard of Directors Syncrude’s Board of Directors is responsible for governing the statutory affairs of the corporation. It meets formally on an annual basis to complete statutory requirements and to review the results of the corporation. The Board functions on a more frequent basis through several active Board committees including a CEO Committee, an Environment, Health and Safety Committee, an Audit and Pension Committee and a Compensation Committee.
The Board and its committees are composed of Directors appointed by the shareholders of the corporation.
The Board of Directors takes seriously its duties and responsibilities with respect to the principles of good
corporate governance. It is the Board’s view that its approach to directing the business of Syncrude Canada Ltd. is comprehensive, effective and consistent with generally accepted standards of Canadian corporate governance.
Board Committees – The primary role of the CEO Committee, which is comprised of a senior executive of each Syncrude Canada Ltd. shareholder company, is to oversee the performance of Syncrude’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, approve compensation of Syncrude Officers, review senior management appointments and succession plans, and review and provide input to Syncrude’s annual strategic business planning processes.
The Environment, Health and Safety Committee confirms that policies, procedures and controls with respect to environment, health and safety exposures and risks are in place and are implemented, maintained, effective and audited. In addition, the Committee monitors and assesses corporate performance in the areas of environment, health and safety matters and makes recommendations for change where appropriate.
The Audit and Pension Committee reviews the adequacy and scope of Syncrude’s internal control systems, as well as the scope and results of both internal and external audit efforts. It also oversees administration of Syncrude’s pension plan. At every meeting of the Audit and Pension Committee, the Committee holds private and separate sessions with internal auditors, external auditors and Syncrude management. The Committee also provides oversight on many other matters related to Syncrude’s financial affairs, policies and practices. All members of the Audit and Pension Committee are independent and are neither Officers nor employees of Syncrude Canada Ltd.
The Compensation Committee deals with matters related to compensation and benefits, senior management succession planning, and other human resources programs.