The pandemic has changed the way many businesses must operate, and Transport Canada is also adjusting. Inspectors are now conducting remote inspections for sites that are considered low risk; any facility that does not feel comfortable with the electronic response can opt for an in-person audit.

Technical Safety BC is also making the shift to virtual operations in the wake of the pandemic, moving its equipment design registration online. It is required by the Safety Standards Act and Regulations to have any regulated designs registered through Technical Safety BC. Design registration can now be submitted online for boilers and pressure equipment, welding, procedures, and gas technologies.

Many of Measurement Canada’s (MC) calibration service laboratories are temporarily closed or working with significantly reduced staff. Considering this, MC will allow certain test (local) standards (e.g., weight kits) and measuring apparatus (e.g., electricity meter consoles) that cannot be calibrated, and that have passed their recertification date to continue to be used by MC accredited or registered authorized service providers for examinations and verifications. This protocol applies for specified periods of time and under certain conditions. View the Standards calibrations section on the Government of Canada website.

To assist retailers with their retail operations as provinces across Canada begin to open up, the CPA has created a new section in the CPA Guide - Best Practices recommended during COVID-19 (V.3, May 4, 2020). Measures for Reopening your Retail Operations, located on page 10 of the guide, provides a number of appropriate public health measures that businesses can implement in their operations to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 amongst employees and customers. The guide is also available on the CPA website under CPA Resources.

The CPA is regularly updating documents on the website. As such, it is recommended that you clear your cache before downloading any of the documents. To do so, please follow these steps:

1. Access your usual browser

2. Press simultaneously the “CTL”, “SHIFT” and “DELETE” keys

3. Select “Images and caches” then choose “Erase the data”

Keep informed with up-to-date information by visiting our COVID-19 website.

To support Ontario’s need to move essential freight and supplies during the current COVID-19 emergency, the Ministry of Transportation is including the commodities listed for exemption in the federal Hours of Service exemptions as issued by Transport Canada from reduced load periods across southern Ontario – this includes propane.

The New Brunswick Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry is lifting spring weight restrictions from highways in southern New Brunswick on Sunday, May 10. In northern New Brunswick, weight restrictions will remain in place until midnight on Sunday, May 17.

Information is changing quickly so please check the Trainers section on COVID Information and Resources web page for the most up-to-date information.

• Extension of training certifications
  Provincial governments have granted the extension of training certifications for the propane industry in order to limit contact during training sessions when required. The most recent information was updated as of April 9, 2020.
• New interactive Training Session Summary Sheet
  To assist trainers, the CPA has created an interactive Training Session Summary Sheet .
• Best practices
  Don’t forget, trainers must reconsider current methods of training delivery in line with the Orders issued by the Provincial Health Officers in all the provinces. View CPA Guide to Hosting a Training Session During COVID-19.

The CSA Group has launched an online platform that allows registered users free access to Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) safety standards published by CSA Group referenced in federal TDG regulations. Users can now log into Communities of Interest and register to find the TDG View Access site here.

• BC Committee - January 21 Meeting
• Saskatchewan Committee - September 18 Meeting
• Auto Propane Committee - September 19 Meeting
• Manitoba Committee - February 12 Meeting
• Alberta Committee - March 19 Meeting
• Ontario Committee - April 21 Meeting
• Transportation Committee - March 3 Meeting
• Regulatory Affairs Committee - March 10 Meeting
• Atlantic Committee - October 24 Meeting

Meeting summaries can be found in your Document Library in your online member profile. Click here to log in to your member profile. 

Date: June 18, 2020 - TENTATIVE
To join the Committee, please contact Sherri Clair

Date: June 25, 2020
Time: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm EDT
To join the Committee, please contact Jean-Francois Duguay

During these challenging times, the Canadian Propane Association’s top priority is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our propane community. We have cancelled our May and June events – Leadership Summit and in-person Regional Committee meetings. Please monitor our Events web page for up-to-date information on event status.

Date: September 10-12, 2020

Location: Red Deer, AB

More information here.

Date: September 15, 2020

Location: Langley, BC

More information here.

NEW Date: October 26-18, 2020
Location: Calgary, AB
Register here!

NEW Date: November 30 - December 2, 2020

Location: Calgary, AB

More information here.