After the April federal election, Prime Minister Carney and his cabinet focused on completing staffing and setting priorities, with several announced on September 5.

Since July, the CPA has been securing meetings with ministers’ offices to discuss issues related to Bill C-5 (the One Canadian Economy Act), such as labour mobility. Meetings included:

• Dominic LeBlanc, Minister Responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade
• Tim Hodgeson, Minister of Natural Resources
• Chrystia Freeland, former Minister of Internal Trade and Transport
• Sean Fraser, Justice Minister/Minister Responsible for Atlantic Canada Opportunities
• John Zerucelli, Secretary of State for Labour

The CPA has also filed numerous submissions, including pre-budget consultations ahead of the fall budget.

With the House of Commons back in session as of September 15, the CPA is continuing to advance the interests of Canada’s propane industry by engaging federal policymakers on key issues, including the shortage of skilled trades such as gas fitters and truck drivers. At the same time, the CPA has been working at the provincial level with the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario to address the pressing need for more licensed gas fitters.

In August, the CPA filed two submissions in advance of the federal budget expected this fall. An extended submission was filed with the Department of Finance on August 28, while an abbreviated version was sent to the House of Commons Finance Committee on July 29.

The recommendations followed four basic themes:

• Building a one Canadian economy – adopt national Red Seal Certification for licensed gas fitters.
• Bringing down energy costs for all Canadians – ensure propane is part of the energy mix for all Canadians, including Indigenous, rural and remote communities.
• Strengthening Canada’s collaboration with reliable global trading partners and allies – expand Canada’s propane export capacity.
• Supporting Canadian renewable energies – cut regulatory barriers, support biofuels, and recognize renewable propane.

Canada’s propane industry continues to struggle with labour shortages, particularly in key roles like gas fitters and truck drivers. The CPA welcomes Prime Minister Carney’s September 5 announcement of new measures aimed at protecting, strengthening, and transforming Canada’s strategic industries. The measures included a new reskilling package for up to 50,000 workers as well as a $5 billion Strategic Response Fund intended to align training with workforce needs.

The CPA will be having further discussions with the government to learn how these initiatives could benefit industry.

Other initiatives include:

• A new biofuel production incentive, with over $370 million for domestic producers to address immediate competitiveness challenges and amend Clean Fuel Regulations to support the domestic biofuels industry.
• A new policy to ensure the federal government buys from Canadian suppliers, require local content when domestic suppliers are unavailable. It will encourage provinces and municipalities to do the same.
• Expanding support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to $1 billion over three years, with flexible terms, and increase new non-repayable contributions to eligible businesses impacted by tariffs across all affected sectors, including agricultural and seafood.
• Expanding Business Development Bank of Canada loans for SMEs
• Waiving the 2026 model year requirement in the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, with a 60-day review of the program.

The B.C. Government’s Budget Consultation Report directly quoted the CPA, recognizing propane as “a secure made-in-Canada energy solution” during times of global uncertainty. The report also echoed our recommendation for motor fuel tax changes to support cleaner transportation fuels like auto propane—helping municipalities and businesses cut both emissions and costs. This acknowledgment shows our advocacy is being heard at the highest levels of government.

British Columbia is reviewing its Lobbyists Transparency Act, with stakeholders recognizing that current requirements are unnecessarily burdensome for non-profits and charitable organizations. Modernizing the rules would ensure transparency while making compliance more manageable—supporting open and effective engagement on critical public policy issues.

The CPA notes these proposed changes for all members active under BC’s Lobbying Rules and will continue to monitor the review closely — this could be good news for our advocacy work, but we’ll need to see the final details before knowing the full impact.

Members and partners gathered in Pitt Meadows for the 2025 BC Seminar, a full day of discussion on biofuel innovation, supply chain developments, workforce challenges, and propane’s role in advancing reliable, cleaner energy solutions. Presentations highlighted both economic opportunities and regulatory updates. Thank you to speakers and members for joining us in these important conversations, and to our Allied Industry sponsors, Maxquip Inc. and McDougall Energy Inc., whose support helps make CPA events possible.

The CPA contributed to the external review of the CleanBC plan, emphasizing propane’s affordability, portability, and accessibility for rural, Indigenous, and remote communities in the province. Our recommendations urged the province to recognize propane’s economic contributions, ensure system resilience, and harmonize policies—allowing B.C. to meet its climate targets while maintaining reliability, affordability, and inclusivity. For questions, please contact Katie Kachur.

The 2025 Alberta Seminar was a great success, bringing together members for a day of professional learning, collaboration, and industry updates. Sessions explored emerging energy trends, federal advocacy, and regulatory developments, with valuable highlights from both municipal and provincial regulators. A sincere thank you to speakers and members for contributing to these important conversations, and to our sponsors who make this event possible: Industry Ally sponsors Maxquip Inc and McDougall Energy Inc., along with Quality Steel Corporation, Total Control Systems, BASE Engineering, Maxfield LP, and ACCU-FLO.

In July, Chris Crawford, CPA Vice-President, Government Relations (Ontario and Manitoba), represented the CPA at the KAP Campbell Classic Golf Tournament in St. Andrews, Manitoba. The event brought together members of Manitoba’s agricultural sector, elected officials, and key stakeholders.

During the tournament, Chris met with Federal MP Grant Jackson, Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn, and MLA Jeff Bereza to discuss issues of shared interest. The CPA values its strong collaboration with KAP in ensuring Manitoba’s agricultural producers continue to have access to affordable, reliable, and lower-emission propane.

On September 11, the CPA submitted comments to the Ontario Government on its consultation regarding natural gas expansion. In its response, the CPA emphasized that propane is an essential part of Ontario’s energy mix, especially in communities that cannot access the natural gas grid due to distance, population, or geography.

For these Ontarians, propane provides a lower-emission, affordable, and reliable energy option. The CPA cautioned that moving forward with natural gas expansion without including propane would create an unlevel playing field across the province.

The submission highlighted that energy choice must remain a principle of fairness—a principle already reflected in Ontario’s Energy for Generations strategy. Propane ensures this fairness by serving communities that would otherwise be left behind.

On June 11, the CPA wrote to New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt to request a meeting on how the province and the propane industry can work together to make regulations more efficient and better serve propane customers.

In late summer, CPA Atlantic Committee Chair Shane Spicer, Doug Myles and Mike Doyle from Superior Propane, and Allan Murphy of the CPA met with NB Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and Minister of Energy, Rene Legacy.

In addition to regulatory issues, the discussion also highlighted propane’s role in delivering affordable, lower-emission energy and supporting initiatives such as heat pumps. The Deputy Premier welcomed continued dialogue, and meetings will be held this month with the Department of Energy’s efficiency programming unit to explore how propane can contribute to energy choice, including as a dual fuel with heat pumps.

On July 10, CPA Atlantic Committee Chair Shane Spicer, Past Chair Royden Boudreau, Allan Frail of Superior Propane, and Allan Murphy of the CPA met with the Honourable Nolan Young, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Labour and Minister Responsible for Fuel Safety.

The CPA raised several regulatory issues aimed at reducing industry burdens while keeping safety a top priority. Since 2021, the Association has been urging revisions to the green tag double signature requirement and has asked the Minister to consider its removal.

The CPA also highlighted concerns related to fleet cardlock operations. Currently, Nova Scotia requires cardlock users to obtain a Class F licence, the same as for dispenser operations used to refill propane cylinders. The CPA emphasized that fleet operators should only need training on the safe use of their cardlock systems, not a full Class F licence.

Minister Young heard that removing this requirement would reduce barriers for fleets considering propane vehicles, support adoption of a cleaner transportation fuel, and cut red tape in Nova Scotia’s regulations.