Step-by-Step:

How to Host Your Ride Along or Visit

Step 1: Identify Your Local Representative

Visit the Find Members of Parliament website to find your local Member of Parliament – use the postal code of your business.

Make note of their contact information, including staff or constituency office email. If there are multiple emails listed, send the invitation email to all emails listed.

Visit Find Members of Parliament

Step 2: Send an Invitation

Use the sample invitation letter and customize it based on your company’s activities:

  • Ride Along: Invite them to a ride along on a propane delivery.
  • Site Tour: Invite them for a site tour if a ride along isn’t practical.

Important: When sending the invitation, be sure to cc your CPA regional government relations team member—Allan Murphy (Atlantic region), Katie Kachur (West), Chris Crawford (Ontario & Manitoba), or Melissa Michaud (Quebec)—so they are informed and can offer support as needed.

Tip: Send the invitation during the last week in August. You may need to contact them up to three to four times before getting a response so this will build in enough time for follow-up (e.g., follow up within a week of sending the initial invitation).

Download Sample Letter

Step 3: They’ve said Yes! Confirm Details

  • Confirm the date, time, and names of attendees from their office.
  • Outline what the visit will involve:
    • For ride alongs: Start/end locations, safety gear, driving time.
    • For site tours: Arrival time, itinerary, PPE requirements, etc.
  • Ask if they have any accessibility or scheduling needs.
  • Provide a brief agenda

Step 4: Prepare for a Ride Along or Site Visit

You are inviting a guest into your workspace, ensure that you are well prepared in advance to host.

Ride Along Preparation

  • Choose a driver/route that is safe, scenic, or serves a key community customer.
  • Ensure your driver is well-briefed and feels confident hosting a guest. Their PPE should be clean and in good condition, and the vehicle should be tidy and presentable—first impressions matter.
  • Prepare an extra set of PPE (safety vest, gloves, etc.). If required, ask your guest to bring their own hard toed boots.
  • Check your insurance or HR policy for external passengers, if applicable.
  • Provide a short introduction to the day’s route and propane delivery basics.
  • Assign a staff member to take photos.
  • Print materials: CPA two-pager, company overview.

Site Visit Preparation

  • A good impression starts with a clean and safe site. Make sure everything is in order, with no rusty cylinders in view, and that your team is ready to show off the great work you do.
  • Designate a host or guide for the tour.
  • Make sure all staff on site are aware that a guest will be visiting and understand any expectations around the visit.
  • Assign a staff member to take photos.
  • Print materials: CPA two-pager, company overview.

General Talking Points

Review and share these General Talking Points with pertinent team members so everyone feels confident and aligned during the visit.

About Your Business

  • Provide your company overview, including how it impacts community members in your representative’s riding. Share relevant stories.
  • Share your stats – e.g., how many customers you serve, how much propane you produce or deliver, and your community involvement – If you sponsor local organizations, mention it!
  • Provide examples of how propane is used in your community/region. Educate your representative on its versatility/many uses but don’t get technical or into too much detail.
  • Share how your business/propane impacts the provincial economy, job market and community: Find your regional profile here.

About Propane

  • Canadian Propane is a strategic energy partner for our country’s future.
  • provides essential, lower-emission, and reliable energy; propane is cost-effective for consumers and businesses.
  • It produces fewer GHGs than gasoline, diesel, or coal and plays a critical role in clean backup power and off-grid energy.
  • Propane is essential in rural and remote areas where other energy options may not be available or affordable.
  • It’s reliable during emergencies and energy outages — and it’s available from coast to coast.

*See the CPA’s Advocacy Toolkit for additional information

 

Step 5: After the Visit

  • Send a follow-up thank you email to the elected official and their staff.
  • Share a photo or short recap on social media using #Propane and tag @CanadianPropane. See below sample social media posts.
  • Send photos and stories to the CPA for use in national advocacy and communications.

Sample Social Media Posts

Use these on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (Twitter) — don’t forget to include a photo and tag CPA!

Before the Visit

We’re getting ready for #NationalRideAlongWeek with @CanadianPropane! Can’t wait to show [@MP/MPP handle] the important work propane providers do every day. #Propane #EnergyForAll #LocalEnergy

During/After the Visit

Thank you [@MP/MPP handle] for joining us during #NationalRideAlongWeek! We’re proud to show how propane supports families, farms, and businesses across [region]. #Propane #EnergyForAll #LocalEnergy

It was a pleasure welcoming [@MP/MPP] to [Company Name] as part of #NationalRideAlongWeek. Propane keeps our communities running — cleaner, reliable, and Canadian. #EnergyForAll #Propane