NEW! Key issues discussed at Propane Advisory Council forum

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s Propane Advisory Council (PAC) is one of eight industry advisory councils in operation that provides a forum for stakeholders to discuss safety strategies. 

The last PAC meeting for 2019 was held on September 24 with Chair Dave Karn joined by ten appointed industry representatives. This PAC meeting was a first for newly appointed Government Relations Director, Ontario Marcelline Riddell. Key issues addressed at the meeting included:

• TSSA’s response to the 2018 Auditor General’s Annual Report: TSSA is focusing on three key priorities – inspection consistency, data analytics, and business model change.
• Strategic analytics activities: a discussion of the Auditor General’s desire to see Registered Safety Management Plan data better utilized for specific issues. TSSA is beta testing a voluntary program for owners/operators to test the current analytic model.
• TSSA change in business model fees: TSSA approached the group to consider an overhaul of the fee schedule to reduce costs and implement a simpler, harmonized system across sectors that encourages compliance. Members were assured a new system would not result in increased fees for the sector overall.
• Smart Meters: “Source of Ignition” was discussed and TSSA reported that the issue is the purview of the Electrical Safety Authority. The Chair responded that if propane installations are affected by smart meter installations and require relocation as a result, the smart meter company will be invoiced by the propane company for such work.

The CPA will continue to update members on relevant issues as they arise.