BCA | February 4, 2022

by | Feb 9, 2022 | BC Advocacy

CleanBC: Roadmap 2030

CleanBC: Roadmap 2030 revisits 2018 guidelines and standards for reducing climate pollution and emissions. The climate action plan outlines more stringent restrictions and standards than previous versions, with an overall goal of reaching carbon net-zero by 2030. The changes proposed by the plan will affect many sectors, including the hearth industry. HPBAC members and staff received a presentation on CleanBC from the Energy Efficiency Branch of the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation on January 12, 2022. This presentation highlighted the aspects of CleanBC that would be most impactful for the hearth industry. It included a commitment to 100% efficiency for space and water heating appliances in all homes and buildings (both old and new construction), as well as a cap on natural gas utilities as part of the greenhouse gas reduction strategy. Furthermore, the plan also commits to continuing to meet and possibly exceed federal carbon tax requirements.

View the CleanBC Presentation

ECCC | February 4, 2022

by | Feb 4, 2022 | Environment and Climate Change Canada

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is conducting a residential wood appliances emission factor study titled “Impact of Various Parameters on Wood Stove Emission Factors” (Study). The study started in December 2020 and will be completed by March 31, 2022.  ECCC has committed to providing a draft of the study to HPBAC once complete. The study will not include any policy recommendations but will be central to future dialogue on appropriate federal wood-burning regulations and carbon emission inventories. HPBAC will remain engaged with ECCC on an ongoing basis and update members regularly.

Further information will be provided once it is available in Winter/Spring 2022.

CPU | February 4, 2022

by | Nov 15, 2021 | Canadian Politics Update, Public Affairs Updates

Canadian Federal Politics

The House of Commons re-opened on February 1st. The agenda for this session is expected to focus on the remaining objectives that the Liberals planned to accomplish in their first 100 days, which comes to a close on February 3rd. Among these promises are a pledge to mitigate hatred and harmful content online, address the impact of COVID-19 on the hard-hit Arts sector, provide equality reform plans for LGBTQ2 Canadians, and update the Official Languages Act.

Due to the minority government, Trudeau and the Liberals will need support from either the Bloc Québécois or the NDP to get anything done. Recent bills like the ban on conversion therapy received unanimous support from all parties, but this isn’t expected to continue. All three parties grew quite frustrated with the Conservatives last year as they often applied obstructionist tactics to run out the clock on bills.

The recent ousting of Erin O’Toole from his position as Leader of the Conservative party is expected to have further consequences for dynamics on the hill. It is anticipated that this change in leadership could lead to one of two outcomes: either the Conservatives will become a stronger and truly competitive party for the Liberals by shifting left on the political spectrum, or the party will continue to fracture and become more right-leaning. Either of these paths will result in a very different policymaking environment this year.

One bill that will likely have an influence on future federal decision-making is Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts. This bill previously died on the Order Paper last April but was re-introduced in the Senate in November 2021. This bill would make significant modifications to the Parliament of Canada Act and related acts to emphasize how the Senate is independent and non-partisan. Among the proposed changes, one major amendment from this Senate-housekeeping bill is that independent senators (those who aren’t affiliated with a party) would receive official recognition and annual allowances.

CVRD | August 24, 2021

by | Aug 24, 2021 | Comox Valley Regional District

HPBAC is advocating for the removal of municipal bylaws in the Comox Valley, British Columbia, that impose restrictions on the use and installation of certified wood-burning appliances in the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox and the Village of Cumberland. In addition, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), which encompasses additional rural areas, has established a Regional Airshed Roundtable that will almost certainly recommend the imposition of further restrictions on the use of wood-burning appliances.

Advocating against regulations on wood-burning appliances that are unjustified, unnecessary, and improperly designed in the Comox Valley remains a priority and the local task force, regional Members and Members of the HPBAC Western Regional Committee continue to advocate on behalf of the industry. The HPBAC Government Affairs Committee has requested a decision package be assembled outlining options for continued advocacy. This work is underway and further updates will be provided as the process unfolds.

For further information please see the HPBAC issue tracker below.

ECSA | August 24, 2021

by | Aug 24, 2021 | Electronic Component Shortage Advocacy

Pursuant to direction by the Gas Hearth Appliance Section on June 6, 2021, and discussions by the GASC in May & July 2021, HPBAC is advocating for temporary relief from energy efficiency regulations (EERs) in Canada that prohibit the use of continuous pilots. HPBA is also advocating for the same policy relief from EERs in US states that prohibit continuous pilots. The current electronic component shortage is making existing federal and provincial EERs difficult to meet because control modules required for non-continuous pilot technologies are scarce and difficult to procure on a consistent basis.

Ensuring appropriate representation on this issue is a strategic priority for HPBAC/HPBA. Extensive work has been undertaken to respond to information requests by governments intended to support decision making processes. Engagement is ongoing and evolving with HPBAC/HPBA officials in daily/weekly communication with respective governments.

 

For further information please see the HPBAC issue tracker below.

ECCC | August 24, 2021

by | Aug 24, 2021 | Environment and Climate Change Canada

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is conducting a residential wood appliances emission factor study titled “Impact of Various Parameters on Wood Stove Emission Factors” (Study). The study started in December 2020 and will be completed by March 31, 2022.  ECCC has committed to providing a draft of the study to HPBAC once complete. The study will not include any policy recommendations but will be central to future dialogue on appropriate federal wood-burning regulations and carbon emission inventories. HPBAC will remain engaged with ECCC on an ongoing basis and update members regularly.

Further information will be provided once it is available in Fall 2021.