Currently, several U.S. jurisdictions on the Eastern seaboard have exempted fuel delivery companies from the hours of service legislation for their truck drivers. Click here for more details.
Considering the extreme cold weather, the CPA has been made aware this could be useful in Canada as well. The CPA is currently working with members to establish a process by which such an exemption could be warranted. A letter has been sent to the Ontario Minister of Transportation requesting an urgent meeting to discuss this issue. The CPA has also initiated conversations with the Federal and Ontario governments asking for a limited time exemption from hours of service regulations in jurisdictions experiencing extreme weather events that could allow CPA member companies to extend driver hours to serve their customers in those areas.
As a result of the CPA's work with the government, the media published accurate coverage about the distribution issues and a need for exempted hours of service for propane deliveries: Demand for propane in cold snap causes delays.
Is this something that is affecting you? If so, have you contacted your provincial government to discuss? Let the CPA know. Contact Darren Cunningham at darrencunningham@propane.ca.