ON – CPA meets with government to discuss viable options for seasonal load period

With the restricted load period fast approaching in Ontario (Highway Traffic Act R.S.O., 1990), the CPA has successfully engaged with the office of the Minister of Transportation (MTO) to discuss a viable option for the industry.

The CPA had initially advocated for an exemption of propane as exists for other essential services, but it has since been learned that municipal infrastructure budgets would prohibit government from considering expanding the exemption class to propane in the near future.

Over the summer, CPA staff and members met with MTO policy staff to discuss workable options for propane fuel delivery during the restricted load season. MTO had conceded that the 1990 legislation was unworkable for today’s industry. CPA member Jacco Bos, manager for Budget Propane, provided options (see below) to increase per axle load weights to which MTO was very receptive. 

On January 21, CPA's Board Chair Dan Kelly, VP Government Relations Allan Murphy, Government Relations Director Marceline Riddell and members Dave Karn, owner of Dowler-Karn and Bos met with MTO Sr. Policy Advisor Rob Elliot to discuss the proposed policy option. Elliot was receptive to the suggestion, indicating that the ministry is including this issue as part of a broader regulatory modernization exercise. He suggested CPA reach out to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario on the proposed option and promised that the CPA would be included in any upcoming consultations on this issue.

Subsequent to this meeting, Kelly had received a letter from Minister of Tranportation Caroline Mulroney. Her letter indicated that the propane sector's recommendations will be considered as part of the government's ongoing analysis to reduce load period regulations and overall burden reduction remedies for business. Read the full letter here.

CPA proposed seasonal load option:

An increased weight per axle of 6,700kg for three-axle trucks during the reduced load period. 

(Legislative Citation Reference: Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER H.8
Reduced load periods)

• 122. (1) Subject to section 110, during a reduced load period no commercial motor vehicle or trailer, other than a public vehicle or a vehicle referred to in subsection (2), shall be operated or drawn upon any designated highway where the weight upon an axle exceeds 5,000 kilograms. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 122 (1).
• (2) Subject to section 110, during a reduced load period,
  • no two-axle tank-truck, while used exclusively for the transportation of liquid or gaseous heating fuel;
  • no two-axle truck, while used exclusively for the transportation of livestock feed; and
  • no vehicle transporting live poultry
• shall be operated upon any designated highway where the weight upon an axle exceeds 7,500 kilograms. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 122 (2).
• Exceptions
  • (4) Subsections (1) and (3) do not apply to, (a) vehicles operated by or on behalf of a municipality or other authority having jurisdiction and control of a highway, where the vehicles are engaged in highway maintenance, including the carriage and application of abrasives or chemicals to the highway, the stockpiling of abrasives or chemicals for use on a highway, or the removal of snow from a highway;
  • (b) vehicles used exclusively for the transportation of milk;
  • (c) fire apparatus;
  • (d) vehicles operated by or on behalf of a municipality transporting waste; or
  • (e) public utility emergency vehicles. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 122 (4); 2009, c. 5, s. 39.