A key part of the CPA’s work to advance the propane industry is advocacy. Since the House of Commons returned in September, the CPA has been meeting with ministers’ offices and Members of Parliament.
Most recently, the CPA met with Conservative MPs who serve as Shadow Ministers. Their job is to monitor, comment and critique the federal cabinet’s performance.
On October 29, the CPA met with Lianne Rood, the Ontario MP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and the Conservative Shadow Critic for Agriculture. During the discussion, the CPA raised changes that are needed to the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (which implements the federal carbon pollution pricing system), particularly as the act applies to agriculture. Currently, gas and diesel are exempt from the act for agriculture, but propane is not for many applications. The CPA has fought for change and has filed submissions and held meetings with government officials as part of this effort.
On November 12, the CPA met with Conservative Shadow Critic for Environment, Dan Albas. Albas is the British Columbia MP for Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola. The CPA briefed Albas on the advantages of the expanded use of low-emission propane as well as the industry’s concerns with the implementation of environmental emergency (E2) plans under Environment and Climate Change Canada. As it currently stands, this regulation forces residence and farms that use propane above a relatively low threshold to pay for costly E2 plans. In many cases, the CPA believes that these customers will end up choosing carbon intense fuels such as diesel because they are not burdened by the same regulations.
The CPA will continue its outreach to parliamentarians and continue discussions about the advantages of low-emission propane.