CPA Public Affairs
June 2017
News & Updates
The Canadian Propane Association (CPA) celebrates the leadership, commitment, and dedication of individuals through its annual Awards Program.

The CPA is pleased to announce the recipient of its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award is Steven Sparling, former CEO of Sparling’s Propane. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes recipients who have made significant and consistent outstanding contributions to advance the Canadian propane industry. 

Roy Kitchen is the recipient of the CPA’s new award, PTI Propane Trainer-of-the-Year. This award celebrates engaging and inspiring Propane Training Institute trainers who are best in their class and achieve a level of excellence in the classroom.

The recipient of this year’s Student Scholarship Award is Luke Watson, whose extended family owns Vancouver Island Propane Services in BC. Funded annually by the International Association of Young Gassers, this award provides financial assistance to recipients planning or pursuing a career related to the propane industry.

Congratulations to all winners! For more information about the recipients, please view the media release CPA Celebrates Outstanding Achievement in Propane Industry. For more information about past winners or how you can nominate a deserving individual, click here or visit the CPA website at www.propane.ca.
 
With the Ontario government’s announcement of over $100 million to support the expansion of natural gas networks, the government determined that it would use taxpayers’ money and give natural gas companies an unfair advantage.
As you are aware, we have been arguing on your behalf that utilities should not be allowed to make existing natural gas customers responsible for costs associated with expanding into new areas. The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) agreed with us, after holding a series of hearings to establish principles to guide costs associated with expanding natural gas services.
In its November 2016 decision, the OEB stated that it would not be appropriate for existing customers to pay for costs associated with expanding natural gas services. Without subsidies, estimated energy savings for customers are reduced and in practice, this should translate into fewer incentives for them to switch to natural gas. Without subsidies, utilities are less inclined to build networks.
 
On April 26, the CPA met with Jane Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer and Rajiv Massey, Manager Corporate Fleet of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) to present information on auto propane and its many benefits. John Hrynisak, UPS Canada Automotive Fleet Manager, also participated in the meeting to speak about the company’s positive experience with auto propane vehicles in their fleets across North America.

The HRM expressed interest in the information presented, especially in the cost savings and environmental benefits that propane could bring to the city of Halifax – not only with auto propane, but also with using propane to heat municipal buildings. The CPA will continue to work with the HRM to ensure that propane is included in future evaluations.
 
The region of Moncton, New Brunswick has experienced a significant increase in auto propane conversions during the past six months. This increase is a direct result of one conversion center – JP’s Garage. Owner Jean-Paul Belliveau is a strong believer in auto propane and its advantages over other fuels to reduce greenhouse gases and protect the environment. Jean-Paul held an Open House in February that attracted a large crowd from numerous businesses and municipalities and provided a thorough understanding about the auto propane industry.

Since the Open House, six contracts have been signed with large fleets, including with the municipalities of Dieppe and Shediac, who have begun to gradually convert part of their fleets. As of May 2017, JP’s Garage had converted more than 80 vehicles and this number continues to grow weekly. JP’s success will significantly impact the number of auto propane conversions in other regions of New Brunswick and other Maritime provinces, as well as give the CPA increased leverage to promote auto propane.
 
The federal government plans to introduce new legislation and regulations to implement a carbon pollution pricing system – the backstop– to be applied in jurisdictions that do not have carbon pricing systems that align with the benchmark. In its Technical Paper released on May 18, the federal government outlined how the federal carbon tax will be implemented, including how the levy will be applied to fossil fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, and propane, starting in 2018. It also set a levy on emissions from industrial facilities that emit more than 50 kilotonnes or more of greenhouse gases per year (output base), which will start Jan. 2, 2019.
 
The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) is proposing a 2% general increase, as well as new compliance, enforcement, and certification renewal fees for 2018-2020. To view the consultation material and to provide feedback, click here. The consultation process closes on August 8, 2017. The effective date for the new fees will be communicated after the consultation closes. For questions or more information, please contact the BCSA at: engage@safetyauthority.ca.
 
Transport Canada (TC) has developed proposals to amend Part 12 (Air) of the TDG Regulations and is now seeking feedback. To view the White Paper and a summary of the comments they received during the spring 2016 consultations, as well as to provide feedback, click here. The deadline for participating in this online forum is August 8, 2017. Once developed, the proposed amendments will be posted in the Canada Gazette, Part I, for a 30-day comment period. For any questions, email TC with the subject heading "Part 12 – Air".
 
The CPA has successfully advocated for the retention of Equivalency Certificate SU 11577 (Ren. 4) and is now superseded by Ren. 5. This equivalency certificate authorizes the one-way transportation by road vehicle or by ship on a domestic voyage, of storage tanks that do not comply with Part 5 (Means of Containment) of the TDG Regulations. Tanks containing more than 5% capacity of UN1075, LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES or PETROLEUM GASES, LIQUEFIED, Class 2.1, or UN1978, PROPANE, Class 2.1, can be transported to the nearest propane facility for servicing in accordance with CSA Standard B51-14. All CPA equivalency certificates are available on the CPA website.
 
On May 3, 2017, Transport Canada began publishing a list of corporate and non-corporate offenders of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations. Publicly posting this information is designed to deter any wrongdoing and to increase public awareness and education concerning the safe transportation of dangerous goods, while contributing to the program’s transparency. All information posted complies with the Privacy Act and is accessible in the right sidebar on the TDG homepage: TDG Enforcement Actions Summaries.
 
The Government of Canada has issued new deadlines to two of the milestones for the transition to Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015. Manufacturers and importers now have until June 1, 2018 to comply with the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR). The second deadline of June 1, 2018 has been delayed by three months to September 1, 2018. The target deadline set for employers by federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) agencies responsible for occupational safety and health (OSH) in the workplace remains unchanged at December 1, 2018. These Orders extend the periods during which suppliers can comply with either the Controlled Products Regulations (WHMIS 1988) or the HPR (WHMIS 2015).
 
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CPA News
The CPA held its 2017 Ontario Seminar & Golf Tournament at the Markham Hilton Conference Centre on May 31 and June 1. Over 150 delegates attended the event, which included a full day of seminar presentations, a supplier exhibition, and a golf tournament at the beautiful Angus Glen Golf Club. A dinner featuring presentations of CPA’s annual awards, meetings for CPA’s Codes & Standards and Transportation Committees, and CPA’s Annual General Meeting, were also conducted as part of the event.
 
The Atlantic Committee held its 2017 Golf Tournament & Seminar on June 13 and 14. The event was well attended, with over 30 registrants enjoying golfing at the beautiful Oakfield Golf and Country Club in Oakfield, Nova Scotia and participating in the informative and engaging seminar, held at Inn on The Lake in Fall River. Seminar speakers included Dave Woods from Environment Canada, who presented information on the government’s E2 program, John Hrynisak from UPS Canada, Automotive Division, presented UPS’s positive experience with auto propane and Colleen Mitchell, President of Atlantica Centre for Energy, discussed renewable energy in the Maritimes.

Seminar participants also had the opportunity to meet CPA’s new President & CEO Nathalie St-Pierre, who presented the vision, goals and mission for the association over the next few years. Members can view the presentations on The Grid.
 
The CPA is currently seeking a Coordinator, Administration & Communications, to be based out of the Ottawa office. The Coordinator will be responsible for providing administrative support to CPA's President & CEO, coordinating daily administrative duties, as well as providing support to the Communications and Marketing team. Click here for the full job description or visit the CPA website.
 
Emergency Response Assistance Canada (ERAC) News
Emergency Response Assistance Canada (ERAC) is a not-for-profit corporation created by industry for industry. As a co-operative emergency preparedness and response organization, ERAC is instrumental in assisting hundreds of oil and gas and transportation organizations requiring Emergency Response Assistance Plans (ERAPs).
ERAC is currently working on a project to develop more ERAC-owned equipment caches to assist Plan Participants in keeping community and clients safe under any circumstances. The equipment caches will be strategically placed across Canada and could be transported to any incident or training facility when needed.
 
Bulletins & Notices

National Energy Board LPG Underground Inventory Report:
June 2017

 
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Code Corner
  • Reports for the transportation of dangerous goods by Road, Rail and Marine:
    • Emergency Report – Road, Rail or Marine Transport (Section 8.2)
    • Release or Anticipated Release Report – Road, Rail or Marine Transport (Section 8.4)
    • 30-Day Follow-Up Report (Section 8.6)
  • Reports for the transportation of dangerous goods by Air:
    •  Dangerous Goods Accident or Incident Report — Air Transport (Section 8.9)
    • 30-Day Follow-Up Report (Section 8.11)
    • Undeclared or Misdeclared Dangerous Goods Report (Section 8.14)
  • Reports Relating to Security – All Modes of Transport
    • Loss or Theft Report (Section 8.16)
    • Unlawful Interference Report (Section 8.18)
 
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