CPA Public Affairs
September 2020
Advocacy News

 
CPA President and CEO Nathalie St-Pierre wrote to congratulate new conservative leader Erin O’Toole. In her letter, St-Pierre noted that, “Propane is an important part of Canada’s energy portfolio and it can be a game changer due to its clean properties, especially at a time when Canadians are looking for healthy and environmentally sound solutions that are market ready today.”
 
The CPA’s government relations consultant, Temple Scott Associates, has provided the following analysis to the CPA on the Liberal’s September 23 Speech from the Throne. Given the government’s rhetoric about the drawbacks of austerity, stakeholders should expect a high federal deficit and spending as a percentage of the national GDP for the foreseeable future.
 
 
The CPA is currently engaged in monitoring and providing recommendations to the various political parties engaged in the upcoming provincial elections in British Columbia (October 24) and Saskatchewan (October 26). As each political party begins to unveil their election platforms, the CPA will analyze and inform members as to the possible impacts of the proposed public policy changes and what affect they may have on the propane industry.
 
On September 2, 2020, the CPA spoke to the Fuels Policy Branch staff from the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines for a market check-in and general discussion of Ontario's propane market. The meeting was called as the result of the CPA's inquiry on the rationale for excluding propane in a government energy bill relief program launched earlier during the emergency management period.
 
On September 24, 2020, the Ontario Energy Board issued a decision granting approval for Enbridge Gas Inc. and EPCOR Natural Gas to increase rates for natural gas customers by over 25 per cent, effective October 1, 2020.  
 
The CPA participated in the City of St. John’s first Multi-Stakeholder Environment and Sustainability Team video conference on September 3, 2020. The multi-stakeholder team will work with City of St. John’s staff to inform the community section of the Sustainability Planning Framework. 
 
On September 14, voters in New Brunswick re-elected the Progressive Conservatives. With 25 seats needed to form a majority, the Progressive Conservatives were elected in 27 ridings, the Liberals in 17, the Green Party in three and the People's Alliance in two.
 
CPA has learned that, as result of the last minister’s roundtable on pandemic economic measures held in June, the government’s report to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs identified three measures to support propane providers.
 
As members may recall, on July 6, 2020 the Ontario Energy Board issued a response to the CPA’s complaint from June 2019 that asserted Enbridge Gas engaged in misleading and unfair marketing practices in Fenelon Falls.
 
Don't miss out on these upcoming opportunities to promote the benefits of clean, reliable auto propane. Bus Safety Week takes place during October 19-23 and the CPA is taking the opportunity to promote propane buses during this week, including issuing a news release on the more than 140 propane buses that were launched in Halifax this fall. International Auto Propane Day takes place Wednesday, November 4, 2020. This dedicated event, created by the World LPG Association last year, promotes the benefits of auto propane around the globe.
 

 
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Propane Training Institute
The CPA/PTI continue to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. Click on the Learn More below to find out what amazing services the PTI offers. Don’t forget: the CPA is offering a promotional discount of 25% for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods – Propane/LPG Specific – 100-03 training material starting September 16 to October 15, 2020.
 

 
Provinces continue to adjust their limitation gatherings across Canada. Physical distancing is recommended in all gatherings, and in most cases, face masks are recommended where distancing cannot be maintained.
 
COVID-19

Keep informed with up-to-date information by visiting our COVID-19 website.

 

The Government of Canada says it is taking immediate action through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to support jobs. Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will be extended to December 2020.

 

The federal government is transitioning to a simplified Employment Insurance program, effective September 27, 2020, to provide income support to those who remain unable to work and are eligible, and to introduce new temporary and taxable recovery benefits for workers. While the government prepares for this transition, and to continue support for Canadians whose employment has been impacted by the pandemic, the CERB will be extended by an additional four weeks, providing a new maximum of up to 28 weeks of benefits.

 
On September 14, the Manitoba government expanded its ‘Back to Work’ in Manitoba Wage Subsidy Program. Through the Back to Work initiative, private-sector and non-profit employers can receive up to $100,000 to subsidize 20 employees (up to $5,000 per employee) hired since July 16.
 

The Ontario government is investing nearly $1.3 million through Ontario Creates grants, providing 99 organizations with funding to help bring Canadian film, TV and digital content to audiences around the world. Propane is widely used on film sets (see the spring issue of Energized - Propane and Hollywood North), there may be a trickle-down effect to the propane industry.

 
Ontario has set new limits for certain social gatherings and organized public events across Ontario. However, these do not apply to training as   the regulations stipulate only “unmonitored social gatherings.”
 
Greater Montreal, Quebec City and Chaudière-Appalaches regions are now considered red zones under the province's COVID-19 alert system. The new restrictions, announced after Quebec reported 750 new coronavirus cases, took effect last Thursday and are set to last for 28 days, until Oct. 28, in the red zones. 
 
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Industry News
The Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques and the California Air Ressources Board will hold the joint carbon market auction on November 17, 2020.
 

This year, the World LPG Association’s LPG Week will take place online November 2-6, 2020, providing an opportunity for many unable to typically attend this event to participate from any locaiton. E-LPG Week aims to unite the global propane industry under an umbrella of summits, meetings, events, a virtual exhibition and incorporating Auto Propane Day on November 4. For updates, visit www.lpgweek.com.

 
To learn more about Enbridge Line 5, check out the Enbridge Line 5 Newsroom.
 
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Events

During these challenging times, the Canadian Propane Association’s top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of our propane community. Please monitor our Events web page for up-to-date information on event status.

 
CPA Committee Updates
  • BC Committee - April 23 Meeting
  • Saskatchewan Committee - September 18 Meeting
  • Auto Propane Committee - June 25 Meeting
  • Manitoba Committee - February 12 Meeting
  • Alberta Committee - June 18 Meeting
  • Ontario Committee - April 21 Meeting
  • Transportation Committee - June 23 Meeting
  • Regulatory Affairs Committee - June 16 Meeting
  • Atlantic Committee - April 28 Meeting

Meeting summaries can be found in the Document Centre in your online member profile. Click here to log in to your member profile. 

 

Date: October 15, 2020
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm MDT
To attend the Committee, please contact Tanis Fiss

 

Date: October 20, 2020
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am PDT
To attend the Committee, please contact Tanis Fiss

 

Date: October 27, 2020
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm CST
To attend the Committee, please contact Tanis Fiss

 

Date: December 8, 2020
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
To attend the Committee, please contact Rob Loenhart

 
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ERAC
ERAC offers both ICS 100 and 200 online through its learning management system, Workhub. For ERAC’s response team network and first responders (firefighter, police, EMS), this course is free.
 
The ERAC’s 2020 Q3 Newsletter is now available.
 
 

 

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