MB: CPA meets with Minister Blaine Pedersen
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Members of the CPA Manitoba Committee, Glen Scrivener (C&T Rentals), Neil Atkins (Stittco Energy), Blair Overby (Federate Co-op Ltd.) and CPA Director of Government Relations (West) Darren Cunningham met with Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade Blaine Pedersen to discuss a number of the industry’s concerns. Of utmost importance are the delays in obtaining information and clarifications on appeals, regulations, approvals and other requests sent to the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), which have negatively impacted business activities for the propane industry over the years.
The group explained to Minister Pedersen that the inaction of the OFC has created a regulatory bias in Manitoba that is driving customers to other less environmentally-friendly fuel sources. Pedersen agreed that propane needed to be inspected and evaluated in the same way as gasoline, diesel and natural gas, without any regulatory bias. Members asked Minister Pedersen that a review of OFC’s practices be done to ensure the propane industry can receive timely information and approvals, and that an appeal process be put in place to provide quicker reviews. The CPA Manitoba Committee members will work with the government to create a joint industry-regulator task force to examine the current issues and make recommendations for changes to Minister Pedersen.
