PERC Canada: Advocacy in Motion

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PERC Canada Advocacy in Motion
Québec June 1, 2006
Promoting the Growth and Development of A Safe,
Environmentally Responsible Propane Industry in
Canada, for the benefit of all Canadians
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PERC Canada Basics

• Propane Industry working toward creation of a
  not-for-profit Canadian Propane Education and
  Research Council (PERC Canada)
• U.S. Mexico have one Propane Education and
  Research Council (PERC)
• The propane industry does not seek financial
  support
• Industry to support the council by remitting
  funds (0.035 cents per litre of odourized
  propane)
• Legislation is required to establish the
  framework
• The government would participate with industry in
  monitoring and auditing the operation of PERC
  Canada and the achievement of its goals and
  objectives

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PERC Why Do We Need It?

• Technology based productivity gains of fuel not
  being capitalized on by domestic market
• New technology for agriculture, transportation,
  other industry not being adapted to Canadian
  market
• Develop Canadian standards for propane products
  to meet market needs
• Provide a single source of reliable and accurate
  safety, education and industry information
• Improve Canadas competitive position

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PERC Canada Funding Use

• Research - adoption of new technologies for
  agriculture, transportation, home heating and
  other industries for the Canadian market
• Incineration, fish farms, power generation and
  forestry equipment
• Propane engines for boats, commercial lawn
  mowers, fleet vehicles, transit systems
• Industry Education adaptation of US First
  Responders Course for use in Canada, adaptation
  of existing courses to e-learning
• Public Education environmental benefits of
  propane development of education safety
  programs
• Reporting - on the propane market compliance
  issues automotive propane propane in agriculture

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PERC Structure

• Equitable Canada-wide benefit and contribution
• Ability for industry to have input into the
  planning and implementation of projects
• Propane fuel research conducted in Canadian
  institutions
• Ensures a sustained, stable level of funding that
  can be budgeted annually, enabling the industry
  to plan multi-year research investments
• Board of Director representation and reporting
  allows transparency on how the funds are spent

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Timeline Highlights to Date

• July 2005 Propane industry steering committee
  strategy meeting
• October 2005 Second propane industry steering
  committee strategy meeting
• November 2005 Federal Liberal Party Calls
  Election
• January 2006 Conservative minority elected
• February 2006 PERC launch meetings with
  bureaucrats in Natural Resources, Finance Canada
  and Industry Canada
• May 5, 2006 Follow up meetings with political
  level personnel Natural Resources, Environment
  Canada and Industry Canada
• May 30, 2006 Meeting at DG level at Natural
  Resources

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Advocacy, what is it anyway?

• Characteristics Sales Approach
• Setting the goal and plan
• Developing relationships (Partners, Coalitions)
• Be focused
• Understanding how the government machine works
• Have presence
• Take responsibility
• Have a positive attitude
• Listen to government

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The Strategy Mix

• Broad voter support
• Ease of execution
• Support/Opposition to action
• Stakeholder status
• Fit with policy agenda
• Public good test
• Immediacy of results

• Rural focus
• Agriculture
• SME
• Made in Canada
• Environment
• GHG reduction
• Energy security
• Transition fuel

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Developing Relationships

• Bureaucracy level
• Political level
• Multiple Affected Departments
• Natural Resources Canada
• Environment Canada
• Industry Canada
• Finance Canada
• Other interest groups (EDG, SCC)

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The Government Machine

• Eights Steps to First Reading
• Departmental Analysis
• Ministerial Decision
• Preparation of a memorandum to Cabinet
• Interdepartmental and external consultation
• Cabinet decision on policy
• Preparation of a draft bill
• Review and approval of the bill by the minister
• Review and approval of the bill by cabinet
• .First Reading in Parliament

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30 270 Day Strategy

• 30 Day Technical Review scheduled June 22
• Detailed review by multiple departments at the
  bureaucratic level
• Identify major challenges
• 270 Day Best Case 1st reading in Parliament
• Substantially near the end of the first 8 steps

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Contact
Leslie Siegman General Manager, Public
Affairs Propane Gas Association of Canada
lsiegman_at_propanegas.ca Ph 613.321.7805 Fax
613.321.8074 27 Strathbury Street Ottawa,
Ontario K2G 5P2 www.propanegas.ca