UPDATE – ON: CPA takes issue with TSSA’s new fee structure directly to the minister

The CPA took the issue of significantly higher Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) fees for propane licensing and inspection imposed on May 1, 2021, directly to the minister responsible, the Honourable Lisa Thompson, in a meeting on June 4, 2021. 

In the presentation and discussion with the minister and her staff, CPA President and CEO, Nathalie St- Pierre, Past Board Chair, Dan Kelly and CPA staff highlighted that the new fee schedule is in direct opposition to the principles of fairness, revenue neutrality and alignment with the inflation rate articulated by the authority itself. Propane businesses report increases of at least 20-40 per cent across the board with some as high as 90 percent. Kelly informed the minister that these increases will cost businesses thousands of dollars in fees payable. 

Members may know that the CPA made many attempts to resolve the fee inequity issue with the TSSA since the new schedule landed in propane providers’ mailboxes in late April 2021. As the authority offered no tangible, immediate remedy to the situation, the CPA was compelled to bring the matter to the minister’s attention.

Minister Thompson indicated that she had prior knowledge of the issue as she had received a similar report from a propane business in her home riding.

After a thoughtful and thorough discussion, the minister promised to follow up with the CPA within a week on potential remedies. The CPA will continue to inform members of any new developments on this file in a timely manner.