Community investment

Our approach

As a long-standing Canadian company, we view community investment not simply as a responsibility but as an essential component in building strong and healthy communities. We give back to local communities where we have a presence through financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteer efforts.

Allocation of community investment

What we are doing

In 2009, we contributed a record $22.2 million to more than 600 projects across Canada. Our main focus is on projects that promote:

  • math, science and technology education
  • environmental conservation and education
  • civic and community programs

In 2009, Imperial made two special contributions: $1 million was given to the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy to promote policy development and public dialogue on energy, economy and the environment, and an $8 million aircraft was gifted to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology for use in its School of Transportation’s aircraft maintenance, avionics and structures programs.

 

$1 million was given to the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy


    $1 million was given to the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy to promote policy development and public dialogue on energy, economy and the environment.

Up Close

Up close:

Supporting a diverse workforce

We sponsor education programs designed to spark Canadian students’ interest in science, mathematics and technology – skills essential to our country’s prosperity. In the last decade, there has been a decline in the number of degrees in math and science awarded in Canada. This decline has reinforced Imperial's commitment to math and science education. In 2009, we awarded almost $2 million in renewed grants to University math and science programs.

Aboriginal community investment

In 2009, the Imperial Oil Foundation invested more than 10 percent of its budget, a total of about $600,000, in community, education and training programs supporting Aboriginal people across Canada. This portion of the foundation budget is expected to grow to 18 percent of the total in 2010.

In 2010, the foundation will support a new program for Aboriginal women. The program, based at the Coady International Institute at St Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia is designed to inspire First Nations, Métis and Inuit women leaders to spearhead community development projects. The initiative will see the Imperial Oil and ExxonMobil foundations donate a combined $4 million over five years. Participants will attend a three-week, campus-based leadership preparation program, followed by a three-month community placement where they will work closely with an experienced mentor. The first program is expected to start in 2011.

In 2009, we also contributed $260,000 to community projects in Cold Lake, including traditional knowledge and language education, creating better living conditions by supporting the Cold Lake First Nations Sustainable Housing project, and helping to develop the English Bay Community Centre.

We have also contributed to community investment projects in the Fort McMurray area through our co-operation agreements with key Aboriginal communities in the region. In 2009, we contributed more than $950,000 in funding commitments to support various community projects, including construction of a high school in Fort McKay, creation of a youth-elder lodge in Fort Chipewyan and development of a traditional land use study in the Richardson Backcountry area north of the Kearl project.