FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What is ACTIMS?

ACTIMS is an acronym for the Alberta Council of Turnaround Industry Maintenance Stakeholders.  It is a not for profit organization representing three major Oilsands Owners, various Industrial Maintenance Contractors who work on these owners projects and the Building Trades Labour Providers.

• Who are the three oilsands owners participating in ACTIMS?

Shell Canada Ltd.

Suncor Energy Inc.

Syncrude Canada Ltd.

• What is the purpose of ACTIMS?

It is to ensure the timely acquisition of skilled and qualified workers for the oilsands owner’s turnarounds.  Should the availability of skilled qualified Canadian workers be exhausted, the Group of Employers under ACTIMS would have the ability of recruiting workers from outside of Canada.

• Can any worker be hired by the Group of Employers under ACTIMS?

Should shortages be experienced by the Group of Employers, ACTIMS would make an application to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada for a labour market opinion on behalf of the Group of Employers.  Once the application is approved by HRSDC a worker with those specific skills and qualifications can be recruited.

• Can any contractor participate in ACTIMS?

No.  Only industrial maintenance contractors who work at Syncrude, Suncor and Shell projects can participate.

• Why do other Oilsands owners not participate in ACTIMS?

Participation in ACTIMS is on a voluntary basis and business drivers for each oilsands owner determines their need for participation.

• Why does my work permit indicate ACTIMS / and the name of an Employer?

It should be noted that although ACTIMS is not a direct employer, if you are hired under ACTIMS you can be transferred to another ACTIMS employer when you have completed your work assignment with the first employer.

• What if I don’t want to transfer to another employer?

Transferring to another ACTIMS employer is not mandatory.  You may elect to request a layoff at which time your employer will provide you a return airfare to the destination from where you originally arrived in Canada.

• I have the opportunity for a job in another country, can I request that an airline ticket be provided to this other destination?

No.  The rules associated with working as a temporary foreign worker in Canada requires that you be provided return transportation to the place from where you arrived in Canada.

• If I decide to accept the transfer when can I commence work with the new ACTIMS employer?

The arrangements for your transfer would be worked out between the two employers and the ACTIMS administrator.

• If I accept the transfer and if there is a delay in starting with the next employer who pays my wages for the period of time that I am waiting to commence work with the next employer?

Unfortunately, you will not be paid any wages for the time that you will be waiting before you commence your next assignment.  However, you will continue to be provided either camp accommodation or an accommodation allowance for up to a maximum of seven calendar days.

• What would happen if the employer requests that I wait longer than seven days?

The Group of Employers under ACTIMS are aware that should the wait time exceed the seven calendar days, you will be laid off and provided return transportation to the place from where you arrived in Canada.

• What happens if I receive a job offer from an employer who is not a member of ACTIMS and I wish to quit from my current employer?

Should you wish to do so, you must ensure that the prospective employer has an active LMO for your trade qualification.  You must notify your current employer and the ACTIMS Administrator.  You must get authorization through HRSDC and CIC for a new work permit.  Once the proper documentation is provided, you may quit your employment and you will forfeit the return air transportation.

• How do I get to Fort McMurray / Fort Saskatchewan?

Your employer will provide you with all of the travel instructions once your work visa has been approved and you have all of the required documents in place.

• What type of work clothes will I require?

You will require clothing that is suitable for the local weather conditions.  Visit www.weathernetwork.com for specific weather information regarding all Canadian cities.  Also visit www.albertacanada.com for other useful information.  Please note, that with the exception of work boots and work clothes all other safety equipment will be provided to you.

• How will I get paid?

Most ACTIMS employers pay their employees through a system of direct deposit banking.  Check with your prospective employer regarding their practice.

• Will I be required to open a bank account and if so how would I go about doing this?

Yes, you will be required to open a bank account at a financial institution of your choice.  You may seek advice through your employer or union representative or you may choose to research the information on your own by visiting www.albertacanada.com .

• In Fort McMurray where will I be living?

You will be put up in a camp depending on which owner’s project your employer is working at.  Your employer will provide you the information regarding the camp and how to get there.

• Where will I be eating my meals?

Each camp is equipped with its own kitchen which serves three meals a day.  Once you have registered in camp you will be given instructions as to where the kitchen is located, the hours of operation, etc.

• Since I will be at the worksite during my shift where would I get lunch and where would I go to eat my lunch?

Camp kitchens normally provide a brown bag lunch that you can pick up and take with you to your workplace.  Normally there are lunch trailers located close to your work place that you can walk to for your lunch break.  These lunch trailers are usually equipped with fridges, microwaves, etc.

• How do I travel between the camp and my place of work?

A shuttle bus service operates between the camps and work sites.  Look for the shuttle bus schedule on the camp notice board or check with your camp administration office.