NEW – ON: CPA invited to participate in pre-budget consultations

The CPA was an active participant in Ontario’s 2022 budget development process throughout January and February.  

CPA Ontario Government Relations Director, Marcelline Riddell, secured an invitation to contribute to an invitation-only pre-budget consultation session with Ontario’s Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlanfalvy. As a result, on January 25, 2022, Riddell was one of 20 participants whose views on government fiscal and economic priorities for the coming year were solicited and considered.

Riddell used the opportunity to highlight the critical role propane plays in rural economic activity and community vitality. She also referenced recent results of a Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) report outlining the transformation taking place in rural Ontario, stressing how much more propane can contribute to community connectivity if encouraged by governments. The minister reflected on the ROMA study results in his closing remarks.

Subsequent to the meeting, Riddell submitted the CPA’s proposal, promoting the propane sector while fortifying Ontario’s post-pandemic economic pillars. In her submission of February 10, 2022, she called for:  

1. Including propane in government procurements.

2. Allowing propane fuel delivery year-round for more efficient and environmentally sound pandemic recovery operations by deeming propane fuel delivery as essential, therefore exempt, from Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER H.8 - Reduced load period provisions.

3. Reducing/eliminating the auto propane gas tax.

4. Implementing a high-carbon school bus replacement strategy using low-emission propane buses. Cost savings could be reinvested in much-needed classroom air filtration systems.

5. Converting the government fleet to propane.

6. Incenting propane vehicle conversions through a $5,000 tax credit.

7. Promoting renewable propane.

8. Implementing a low-carbon residential retrofit program to convert thousands of heating oil households to propane.

Members will be updated on the government’s budget content upon delivery later this spring.