The CPA is pleased to announce the appointment of Bruce Leslie as Executive Director for the Propane Training Institute and Tanis Fiss as Director, Government Relations, West.
|
This indepth anaylsis provided by government and public relations firm Temple Scott and Associates takes a look ahead and what can be expected on the federal political scene this fall.
|
The CPA continues to make the case for the planned upgrade of Enbridge Line 5 as it passes under the Straits of Mackinac. The planned improvements to the pipeline infrastructure in Michigan continue to be slowed by political pressure by environmental groups and others who do not want Line 5 to be improved. In fact, they want Line 5 to be eventually shut down.
|
On August 7, the CPA filed its annual pre-budget submission to the House of Commons Finance Committee. Over the past year, the CPA has seen an increased interest in engagement by governments across Canada, including the federal government. The pre-budget submission provides the CPA an opportunity to review what it believes are important recommendations that will help economic development and result in cleaner communities, notwithstanding the impact felt from COVID-19.
|
On August 12, 2020, British Columbia and Canada announced $47.39 million in funding to expand the Green Instructure program under the CleanBC Communities Fund. The CPA has highlighted some areas for a broad range of potential projects for CPA members to consider if they intend to apply for funding through this program.
|
The Alberta government’s February budget projects a deficit of $6.8 billion but became out of date weeks later when COVID-19 and low oil prices hit the province. On August 27, the government provided a fiscal update and forecast the deficit to hit $24.2 billion.
|
In his first cabinet shuffle since the 2019 election, Premier Kenney moved justice minister and solicitor general Doug Schweitzer to the newly-created Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, which replaces Economic Development, Trade and Tourism. The change is expected to allow for a renewed focus on jobs and the economy.
|
On August 11, the CPA filed additional comments with a PEI legislative committee that has made recommendations to the provincial government regarding next steps in the fight against climate change.
The comments were made in relation to the Special Committee Report published in July that presented the results of its initial consultation, in which the CPA had also participated.
|
The CPA has been pursuing adoption of a more refined cylinder recycling program with the Ontario government over the past year. In late July 2020, CPA President and CEO Nathalie St-Pierre and Ontario Government Relations Director Marcelline Riddell outlined the association’s proposal to have the new provincial program capture only small non-refillable cylinders to representatives of Canadian Tire and Costco.
|
As CPA members are aware, one of the issues propane representatives raised with Minister Lisa Thompson during her sectoral roundtable discussion in early June 2020 was the ongoing skilled labour deficit in the province’s propane field. Members highlighted the critical need for skilled gas fitters/technicians and truck drivers to serve existing clients and grow the sector.
|
This year’s international Auto Propane Day takes place Wednesday, November 4, 2020. This dedicated event, created by the World LPG Association last year, is designed to promote the benefits of auto propane, including its contribution to cleaner air, its proven safety and reliability, and low costs.
|
We have improved your experience and sped up the certification process, while ensuring credibility and security. Check out what you can do with your profile on our website!
|
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.
|
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 (EI) program, effective September 27, 2020, to provide income support to those who remain unable to work and are eligible, and 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.
|
Canada Revenue Agency has opened applications for Period 5 - the first period of the enhanced CEWS program. Program changes for Periods 5-9 include:
|
The Manitoba government is enhancing its Back to Work program to support more Manitoba businesses in bringing back their employees to increase their operations and the services provided throughout the province. The enhanced program allows businesses, not-for-profit organizations or charities to receive a subsidy for another 10 full or part-time employees, in addition to the current total of 10. By doubling the amount of subsidized employees to 20, the maximum level of financial support available to employers increases from $50,000 to $100,000
|
The Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques and the California Air Ressources Board held the joint carbon market auction on August 18, 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.
|
During these challenging times, the Canadian Propane Association’s top priority is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our propane community. Please monitor our Events web page for up-to-date information on event status.
|
The Canadian Propane Association and the Kandlelighters have made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming Alberta Seminar and Kandlelighters’ Golf Tournament scheduled to take place September 11-12 in Red Deer, Alberta. While we are disappointed to cancel this important event for our members in Alberta, ongoing concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concerns and other circumstances have made it unviable to hold the event.
|
NEW Date: Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, 2020
Location: Calgary, AB
More information here.
|
Updated emergency planning services available, including rail security plans ERAC has developed a new approach in Environmental Emergency planning to better serve CPA and ERAC Plan Participant members. ERAC offers a full-service plan: write the plan, submit mandatory schedules to Environment and Climate Change Canada, produce public notification brochures and facilitate annual tabletop training sessions for facility employees. ERAC can also share this work, if you have the time and resources internally to execute some of these requirements; this way, the cost of the plan is reduced accordingly.
|
|
| |
|
