Attention: Community Members
Last week, on November 19, 2025, CRDAC committed to providing an update on the two Cenovus Energy (“Cenovus”) projects following our joint leadership meeting on November 27, 2025. If you were at the community meeting, you would recall that Cenovus proposed exploratory drilling in Sawbones Bay and developing a Class 2 landfill site.
Regarding the exploratory drilling under Sawbones Bay, Cenovus has committed that the project is “off the table for the foreseeable future”. While that can be seen as a positive step, CRDAC is committed to enhanced environmental monitoring of Christina Lake and to exploring additional measures to protect it.
Regarding the Class 2 Landfill project, Cenovus reported that its recent acquisition of MEG has afforded it with increased opportunities to locate the landfill farther from the lake. Cenovus continues to conduct potential site assessments and will approach CRDAC as they narrow their choices. Once the site is proposed, Cenovus and CRDAC will negotiate a meaningful consultation process that involves the community. Negotiating a consultation agreement does not indicate support for the proposed project, but instead provides the community and leadership with an opportunity to ensure that concerns and issues are brought forward and addressed appropriately.
As we discussed at the November 19 meeting, your involvement is crucial to ensuring that the community’s rights and interests are understood and accommodated. The CRDAC will continue to provide timely communications to the community as more information becomes available.