About the Tour

The oil sands of northern Alberta attract a lot of attention in the media and from environmental groups. Marcel Coutu, CEO of Canadian Oil Sands and Chairman of the Board of Syncrude Canada, is travelling the country giving Canadians a candid view from the inside of one of Canada’s largest oil sands operations. He is providing frank insights into how they are meeting the challenge of improving their environmental performance, the impact of the oil sands on the economy of Canada and local communities, and what all this means to Canadians.

Marcel’s tour first started in Hamilton, Ontario on October 14, 2009 and has since taken him to Toronto, Halifax and St. John’s. Follow Marcel as he travels the country telling the story of one of Canada’s most controversial yet important industries while at the same time answering the tough questions Canadian’s have about the oil sands both honestly and candidly. Too often leaders on both sides of the oil sands debate only give you small bits of information that can be misleading; Marcel is speaking openly and directly.

We’ll be posting videos from the tour on this site, so you’ll be able to follow the action yourself as Marcel dialogues with students, journalists, business people, and other groups.

January 14, 2010 St. John’s, NL

12:00 p.m. - NOIA Luncheon event

7:30 p.m. - Memorial University event

NOIA Luncheon Event - Newfoundland and Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association (NOIA) hosts luncheon at the St. John’s Delta Hotel for Marcel and key oil and business influencers to discuss economic opportunities between Newfoundland and Labrador and the oil sands, the economic impact of the oil sands and the environmental improvements they are making.  Open to the public and media.

To register, click on http://www.noianet.com/

Memorial University Event - Memorial University hosts the Speaking of Engineering Lecture, an evening session between Marcel and the Faculty of Engineering to discuss environmental impacts, changes in the oil sands industry and career and economic opportunities. Open to the public.

January 13, 2010 Halifax, NS

8:00 a.m. - The Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS) breakfast

To register, click on www.otans.com/events

12:00 p.m. - Dalhousie University lunch and student bear pit session

3:00 p.m. - Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS) session 

OTANS Breakfast - The Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia (OTANS) hosts breakfast at the Delta Halifax for Marcel and key oil and business influencers to discuss economic opportunities between Halifax and the oil sands, the economic impact of the oil sands and the ongoing environmental improvements they are making. Open to the public and media.

Dalhousie University - Dalhousie University hosts lunch between Marcel and university faculty and researchers, followed by a bear pit session between engineering students and Marcel to openly discuss the economic impacts, career opportunities and environmental responsibilities in the oil sands industry.

AIMS Session - Invitational session between Marcel and key thought leaders to discuss the future of the oil sands industry, environmental impacts and economic opportunities in Nova Scotia.

Oil Sands Now