The scope of this area of the association’s activity is enormous and the contribution made by a relatively small number of volunteers cannot be overstated. We would ask all members to keep their eyes and ears open and inform HPBAC of any issues they are concerned about. It is particularly difficult for us to monitor what is happening at the municipal level, so please read your local newspaper, especially the sections dealing with council policy and planned by-laws.

We were fortunate enough to be able to send four people to HPBA’s Government Affairs Academy in Kansas City earlier this month. Vanessa Percival (Urban Hearth) from our Ontario chapter board and Vincent Marcoux (SBI) from Quebec were joined by staff members Norma Bourque (Atlantic chapter) and Zigi Gadomski (Western chapter) for an intensive three day course. Areas covered during fourteen hour days included how to deal with media and government officials and how to spot dangers for our industry contained within complicated proposed legislation.

On July 1^st legislation came into force in Newfoundland and Labrador banning the sale of non EPA/B415 certified products. HPBAC felt the status of certain products that are exempt from these standards was left unclear. Working with the Provincial Ministry, HPBAC was able to ensure that these products, such as decorative wood burning factory built fireplaces could still be sold. In Nova Scotia the same confusion existed in the proposed legislation coming into force this October. HPBAC got the wording changed so that exempt product will still be available for sale. HPBAC is engaged with the Ministries in both Quebec and the Yukon regarding non certified product and the promotion of cleaner models. In New Brunswick earlier this month, George LeBlanc (Maritime Fireplaces) and Norma Bourque met with government and other stakeholders to discuss the direction of future legislation there.

Our Western Chapter and Terasen Gas launched an EnerChoice Public awareness campaign in BC last month. Enerchoice gas fireplaces are the most efficient available and incentives are being offered to encourage their sale and purchase.

HPBAC continues to work with other stakeholders on the development of new codes and standards. The latest version of CSA P.4, which deals with gas fireplace efficiency, will be going for public review shortly. HPBA is also sponsoring the development of a new standard dealing with the installation of wood burning inserts into factory built fireplaces. This practice is practically banned in certain areas, including the whole of Alberta, because there is no standard. Once we have a standard it should open up extra selling opportunities for our members.