All low-emission options must be considered for energy resiliency in Ontario

TORONTO, February 26, 2024 – The Canadian Propane Association (CPA) is speaking with Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) to discuss prioritizing affordable energy. In its efforts to reduce emissions, the province must ensure that all Ontarians, no matter where they live, can access low-emission energy to heat their homes and businesses.

Propane can play a crucial role in supplying cost-effective energy, especially for rural, remote, and Indigenous communities who do not have access to natural gas and electricity. Many of these communities rely on carbon-intensive heating oil, but with government support, they could transition to low-emission propane, significantly lowering their costs and environmental impact.

“The time is now to give rural communities the option to choose cleaner and more sustainable energy sources,” said CPA President and CEO Shannon Watt. “Propane is immediately available and ensures that no one is excluded from the energy transition. We require all low-emission options to secure reliable and affordable energy for Ontario communities.”

As stated in the Electrification and Energy Transition Panel Final Report, “Participants noted that back-up power, especially for heating, must be guaranteed, especially in remote communities given the potential for outages. Some participants clarified that for some communities this may mean that propane or diesel power should be accepted as backup for the foreseeable future to ensure a steady supply of power.”

The CPA and its members will be meeting with MPPs during its lobby day on February 27 to discuss the importance of an affordable and equitable energy transition across the province.

“A growing number of residents in rural areas are choosing propane because it is less costly than heating oil and it can support electric heat pumps as a primary source of energy,” said CPA Ontario Committee Chair Daryl Patjas.

Other topics to be discussed by the CPA include supporting more cost-effective and cleaner transportation alternatives through the expansion of auto propane and reducing or eliminating the fuel tax on propane. The CPA is also advocating for the government to invest in biofuel research and development. To that end, the CPA will be releasing its Canadian Propane Decarbonization Roadmap which charts the industry’s path to develop renewable propane in Canada on March 20, 2024.

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About the Canadian Propane Association 

The Canadian Propane Association (CPA) is the national association for a growing, multi-billion-dollar industry that impacts the livelihood of tens of thousands of Canadians. As the trusted voice of the propane industry, the CPA creates the conditions for responsible market growth through advocacy, training, and emergency response.