Late last year, CPA staff met with the offices of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement (GTPWP) to discuss propane as a backup energy source for AI data centres.

Following those meetings, on February 5, CPA staff met with Shared Services Canada. Those discussions focused on identifying ways for the propane industry to brief key federal departments, including the Department of National Defence, GTPWP and the RCMP, on the advantages of replacing diesel with propane for backup and primary energy applications.

For more information, contact SVP Government Relations, Allan Murphy.

The CPA is undertaking a study examining how propane can power and support Canadian data centres, following the release of a similar report from NPGA in late 2025. The NPGA report can be viewed here. The CPA will share findings with members and discuss advocacy and communications approaches to ensure propane is included in this new and growing market.

For questions, contact Katie Kachur.

The CPA met with Environment and Climate Change Canada on January 28 as part of the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) working group. During the meeting, Deputy Minister Mollie Johnson spoke with CPA VP Government Relations, West, Katie Kachur, outlining the federal government’s evolving climate and economic approach, emphasizing that strengthening Canada’s domestic economy through housing, infrastructure, major projects and defence remains compatible with climate action. She said the government is aiming to create a more pragmatic and predictable policy environment to support investment certainty. She also noted that regulations will continue to be used in areas where carbon pricing is less effective, with greater use of equivalency agreements to reflect regional differences, including ongoing federal-provincial discussions with Alberta.

For questions, contact Katie Kachur.

The CPA is reviewing publicly available propane data by region to update its Regional Profiles and the national propane dataset, a process it undertakes every few years. Updated data, a webinar with the lead researcher, and refreshed communication materials will be available in late Q1 or early Q2. Once complete, the CPA will share the findings with members through a webinar.

Current profiles can be viewed at Regional Profiles – Canadian Propane Association.

For questions, contact Katie Kachur.

The CPA is pleased to announce it has joined the Moving Economies Coalition alongside other key associations that rely on rail to move their respective products. The coalition’s advocacy focuses on three main areas.

The first is unlocking private sector investment through competitive tax policies that level the playing field with other jurisdictions, particularly the U.S., such as accelerated depreciation or investment tax credits on infrastructure and supply chain investments.

The second is reforming regulatory processes for the approval of infrastructure and major resource projects so that decisions are made quickly, with timing predictability clear from the outset, while allowing for adequate public consultation.

The third is modernizing Canada’s labour laws to mitigate economic harm and improve supply chain reliability by establishing a clear and transparent process to resolve disputes rapidly.

Further details can be found at Moving Economies | Let’s Level the Playing Field. For questions, contact Katie Kachur.

The CPA is pleased to announce that the 2026 BC Food Truck & Lobby Day will take place in Victoria on May 25, following the successful May 2025 event. The purpose of the event is to deepen relationships with provincial decision-makers and advance propane’s role in British Columbia’s evolving energy framework.

If you are interested in participating, contact Katie Kachur as soon as possible.

The CPA has submitted its recommendations for the 2026 Manitoba Budget to the provincial government, focusing on regulatory alignment, industry efficiency and growth opportunities for propane in the province.

The CPA is asking Manitoba to eliminate the requirement for an Inspection and Technical Services (ITS) Inspector to inspect new propane installations before propane can be turned on, bringing the province in line with other Canadian jurisdictions. Under the proposed approach, a certified propane distributor or installer would be authorized to place the system into service once the installation meets industry specifications. ITS would retain oversight through random audits or by providing a gas technician for startup clearance based on documented work from prior installations.

The CPA is also calling on the province to eliminate the Risk and Emergency Management Plan requirement for consumer facilities, in line with the standard practice of most other Canadian provinces.

On the federal side, the CPA is encouraging the Manitoba government to advocate for propane to be added to the list of fuels eligible under the Federal Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative.

Finally, the CPA is urging the province to encourage AI data centres operating in Manitoba to select propane as their backup energy source, positioning propane as a reliable and practical option in the province’s growing tech infrastructure.

The CPA will continue engaging with the provincial government as the budget process moves forward.

With extreme cold and heavy snowfall creating significant supply challenges across Ontario, the CPA has been actively advocating for temporary changes to Hours of Service regulations for propane bulk truck delivery drivers.

CPA’s VP Government Relations, Ontario and Manitoba, Chris Crawford and several members have been in discussions with the Minister of Red Tape Reduction’s Office and MPP Stephane Sarrazin (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell), requesting the government consider one of two temporary measures during emergency conditions.

Option 1 – Extended Drive Time

A one-hour extension to the daily drive limit, changing the current allowance from 13 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty period, to 14 hours of driving and working. While modest, this change equates to an additional 5-6 hours of driving per week, per driver. Importantly, drivers are frequently in and out of the vehicle during delivery routes and are not staring at the road for extended periods.

Option 2 – Elimination of the 36-Hour Reset

Removing the mandatory 36-hour reset during a two-week period, allowing drivers to maintain their current drive periods without the built-in day-and-a-half break. A standard rest period would follow at the end of the two weeks.

Under these options, companies would commit to multiple driver check-ins throughout the day for fatigue management and, where possible, schedule shorter drive periods with more frequent delivery rotations.

The CPA will continue advocating on this issue with Ontario Cabinet Ministers and MPPs.

The CPA has submitted its recommendations for the 2026 Ontario Budget to the provincial government, focusing on operational relief for propane delivery and expanding the role of propane as a lower-emission energy option across the province.

The CPA is calling on the province to remove seasonal load restrictions for propane bulk delivery trucks and to provide propane bulk delivery trucks with a formal Hours of Service exemption.

On the energy resilience front, the CPA is recommending the province implement a fuel-agnostic program to help offset the cost of standby generator systems for communities at high risk of power outages, ensuring that propane remains a viable and accessible backup option.

Finally, the CPA is encouraging the province to work with school boards to replace gasoline and diesel school buses with propane buses, positioning propane as a practical and cost-effective step toward cleaner student transportation.

The CPA will continue engaging with the provincial government as the budget process moves forward.