The CPA's Ontario seminar held May 28-30, in conjunction with the Board of Directors meeting and Annual General Meeting in Niagara Falls, engaged members in interesting discussions about what's on the minds of Canadians, customer service best practices, next steps for Toronto By-law 569-2013 and doing business with Indigenous communities.

 

Feature speaker Canadian pollster Nik Nanos provided his perspective on the upcoming federal election and things that matter to the public – people want a stable economy, stable jobs, and stable prices. The propane industry is part of the future energy mix because it brings stability, cost-competitiveness and reliability to Canada’s energy portfolio, and it is good for the environment – all things that are top of mind for Canadians.

 

Mary Proc, former vice president, customer service delivery with Metrolinx, provided excellent customer service advice on how propane members can ensure they build long-term, satisfied customers. Knowing your customer’s “pain points” is key to knowing how to improve your customer’s experience and overall satisfaction. A company’s essence doesn’t lie in its colours or logos – its amazing service, said Proc.

 

Calvin Lantz of Stikeman Elliott LLP and Andy Bite with SLEEGERS Engineered Products Inc. provided an overview and next steps on the long-battled issue of the Toronto By-law 569-2013 that addresses propane transfer, handling and storage facilities, related open storage and outside operations, as well as all regulations that impose propane-related restrictions on vehicle fuel station uses. The propane industry has been fighting this unfair proposal for close to 10 years, which limits propane handling as a permitted use within certain setback zones. According to Calvin, the By-law has not been based on science or facts but based purely on politics. The CPA will continue to fight these unfair regulations for a propane industry that is already highly regulated.

   

Closing out the day was Jean Paul Gladu, president and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business who presented on how the propane industry can best engage with Indigenous communities. CCAB works to connect Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses, and “create the space for more Indigenous entrepreneurs to get access to markets,” Gladu said. A recent survey by the CCAB found that Canadians see business connections as a pathway to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. He encouraged propane business leaders to open up the supply chains to build these relationships.

 

“Supply chains give us the opportunity to supply change,” he said. “It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s a good business decision.”

 

 A warm thank you to all the sponsors – the event could not have happened without them! Check out the CPA's Facebook page and the upcoming summer issue of Energized for great photos.