Lobby Day at Queen’s Park a Success!
CPA’s first Ontario Propane Advocacy Day, held on September 28, was highly successful. Numerous association members from across Ontario, as well as CPA staff, joined CPA Chair Guy Marchand, Vice Chair Dan Kelly, and representatives from Parkland Fuel Corporation and Superior Propane at Queen’s Park, Toronto to participate in dozens of meetings with Ministers, their staff, and MPPs from all political parties. 
At an evening reception, MPPs representing the Liberal government, as well as opposition members from the Progressive Conservatives and NDP, all agreed they were impressed with the message our members delivered throughout the day: Propane is vital to Ontario’s economy and for environmental initiatives. The day’s effort has prompted follow-up discussions with Ontario MPPs to further consider the role of propane in the province’s work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Building on the success of the Lobby Day in Ontario, the CPA will be conducting similar outreach efforts in other provincial capitals in the coming months.
In his remarks, CPA Board Chair Guy Marchand told the audience that, "energy and the environment go hand-in-hand at the policy table and the propane industry is fortunate to be able to check all the boxes."
Mr. Marchand reminded the audience of MPPs that low-emission propane provides Ontario with an annual economic impact of $1.95 billion dollars, including a tax contribution of approximately $253 million dollars, and creates over 3,000 jobs in Ontario communities.
He also noted that from an environmental perspective, the expanded use of propane can immediately help Ontario’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is an energy source providing environmental benefits for a number of sectors, including residential, commercial, agriculture, petrochemical, mining and transportation.
"To policy makers, our message is clear: Propane is a smart choice because it is cost-effective, low-emission, efficient, abundant and Canadian, and does not require expensive investments by government," said Mr. Marchand. "Here in Ontario, the propane industry continues to work with government to provide home energy upgrade opportunities to energy users across Ontario, particularly in rural and remote areas. We are committed to continuing these efforts."