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RBC hosts 18 banks at Oil Sands "Day of Learning"
TORONTO, March 1, 2010 — RBC hosted an Oil
Sands "Day of Learning" in Toronto on February
1, 2010 for representatives from 18 Canadian, U.S. and European
financial institutions. Almost 40 people attended the one-day
session, primarily from energy sector financing, risk management,
asset management and/or corporate responsibility functions.
Attendees learned about the regulatory, social and environmental
issues associated with the development of one of the largest
oil deposits in the world, as well as aboriginal issues and
stakeholder consultation practices associated with energy
development in Canada.
The session included a knowledgeable panel of diverse speakers,
including:
- Peter Watson, Alberta Deputy Minister of Energy and Jim
Ellis, Alberta Deputy Minister Environment
- Energy industry representatives from Suncor Energy and
Nexen
- Non-governmental organization representatives from WWF
Canada, the Pembina Institute and the Canadian Boreal Initiative
- Former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations
(AFN) and RBC Special Advisor Phil Fontaine
- A representative from National Public Relations, a Canadian
communications firm that recently polled Canadians on their
opinion of the Alberta oil sands
"The strong interest in this session demonstrates that
the banking community is interested in better understanding
the economic, social and environmental issues associated with
Canada's oil sands," said Sandra Odendahl, RBC Director
of Corporate Environmental Affairs.
About RBC and the Environment
In 2009, RBC garnered an impressive suite of honours
and recognition for its sustainability programs and performance.
RBC was named to the 2009-2010 Dow Jones Sustainability World
Index and the DJSI North American Index, and is recognized
as one of Canada's Greenest Employers, one of Canada's Best
Diversity Employers, one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible
Corporations and one of the Best Workplaces in Canada. RBC
is also listed on the Jantzi Social Index, the FTSE4Good Index,
and the Carbon Disclosure Project Canadian Leadership Index.
In 2007, RBC released the RBC Environmental Blueprint, containing
the company's commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions
and energy use and outlining how RBC will approach new, existing
and emerging environmental issues in its lending activities.
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