From all of us at the Canadian Propane Association and the Propane Training Institute, we wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday and all the best in 2022. We are sincerely grateful to all of you for your outstanding support throughout this past year.

Please note the Canadian Propane Association and the Propane Training Institute will be closed from December 24, 2021, and re-opening January 4, 2022.

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On November 24, 2021, in collaboration with Transport Canada, the CPA hosted a webinar on TC’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Compliance Report. This session was organized to allow members to hear directly from the regulator and better understand some of the compliance concerns identified by inspectors on the road and anywhere TDG is handled or transported.

While most stakeholders meet or exceed the current training requirements of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR), Transport Canada inspectors have identified that some employees lack the knowledge and skills required to conduct their dangerous goods tasks despite possessing a valid training certificate. In response, TC has proposed amendments to the TDGR in the Canada Gazette, Part One on Dec. 11, 2021. It is providing a 60-day period for public commentary. 

The CPA continues to engage with the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) regarding recent changes to the inspection process. Members had noted that the inspection frequency and costs have increased in the past few years. 

A reminder that the next edition of draft UL 495 / CSA 12.4 – Standard for Power-Operated LP-Gas Dispensing Equipment is currently open for Public Review until January 21, 2022. Please submit your comments directly within the CSA Public Review system being used to compile all comments.

A few more pressure relief valve (PRV) samples from B.C. and Atlantic Canada are still needed for the study of CG-7 PRVs and their possible use beyond the mandated 10-year replacement interval (see previous RA story here). The study being conducted by Underwriters Laboratories of Canada is beginning next week.

On December 1, 2021, CPA's Senior VP, Regulatory Affairs and Safety, Robert Loenhart, and Dowler Karn Senior Manager, Fleet, Service & Capital Assets, Dave Chaplow, met with Ministry of Transportation staff member Rob Elliot and Carrier Safety Branch Manager Andrew Chase to review industry challenges in meeting the deadline to install electronic logging devices in propane fleets by June 2022.

The CPA provided a thorough and considered response to the Technical Standard Safety Authority’s (TSSA) proposed revised fee schedule for propane in a letter to President and CEO Bonnie Rose on November 30, 2021.

The CPA has outlined industry concerns regarding the Technical Standard Safety Authority’s application process and fees for underground tank installations in the province. Specifically, the Association relayed members’ objections to TSSA’s treatment of these installations as variances and the almost $1,200 in fees charged per installation.

During the week of November 22, 2021, the CPA met with the chief inspector of Nova Scotia advocating to remove the requirement to license propane cardlock users and allow auto propane users to conduct and record training for the cardlock sites in use. The inspector agreed with the proposal but indicated that it would take some time to implement due to required regulatory changes.

 
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Over the past several months, the PTI has been working on a procedure that would enable trainers to recertify propane certificates remotely through various video meeting services.

• BC Committee - June 8 Meeting
• Saskatchewan Committee - September 16 Meeting
• Ontario Committee - September 21 Meeting
• Transportation Committee - September 21 Meeting
• Auto Propane Committee - September 23 Meeting
• Regulatory Affairs Committee - September 28 Meeting
• Manitoba Committee - October 13 Meeting
• Atlantic Committee - October 14 Meeting
• Alberta Committee - November 18 Meeting

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

Date: January 13, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST
To attend the meeting, please contact Robert Loenhart.

Date: January 19, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
To attend the meeting, please contact Robert Loenhart.

Date: April 14, 2022
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm MDT
To attend the meeting, please contact Katie Kachur.

Date: April 21, 2022
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am EDT
To attend the meeting, please contact Marcelline Riddell.

Date: June 23, 2022
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm MDT
To attend the meeting, please contact Katie Kachur.

Date: September 8, 2022
Time: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm MDT
To attend the meeting, please contact Katie Kachur.

Date: November 24, 2022
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm MST
To attend the meeting, please contact Katie Kachur.