Happy Holidays
We wish you and your family a very happy holiday season |
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Government Affairs Update
As 2009 draws to a close I'd like to take a moment to thank all the volunteers and staff who have helped our government affairs effort during the past year. Right across the country we have faced many significant challenges and our association has responded magnificently.
Our industry is heavily regulated and will undoubtedly become even more so in the future. Time and time again, it is our association that is taking the lead in working to avoid unfair and ill considered legislation, codes and standards.
As is usual, it is the wood burning sector of our industry that is facing the biggest challenge in the face of public and governmental misconceptions. HPBAC is working hard to ensure that unreasonable and unreasoned regulations such as those introduced in Montréal this year, do not spread to other jurisdictions. Nevertheless the sheer amount of anti wood burning nonsense that is spread by a sensationalist media works against us on a day to day basis.
Every member can help. We have been posting a series of pro wood burning articles on our blog and website. You will also find recent news releases and a sample "letter to the editor" that we actually used in HPBAC's hometown of Huntsville, Ontario. More will follow in the months to come.
Please use this as a resource for putting together your own letters to the editor and pro wood burning commentary.
Laura and I will be pleased to help in any way we can. If you find something of interest elsewhere please send it to us and we'll look at posting it on our blog and adding it to our website library in the new Members Only section under Resources/Downloads. To access the Members Only section please contact our office for the user id and password. These will be forwarded to all members shortly.
Thanks again to all our members who have given their time to support our industry. Well done, merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year to all.
Tony Gottschalk |
 Chapter Reports
Ontario Chapter
The Ontario Chapter welcomed a new board in 2009, with some new and some returning faces. All Ontario members are encouraged to volunteer and participate in future events, regardless of whether or not they are on the board.
HPBAC Ontario Chapter was present at several locations during the Toronto Fire Prevention week from October 4 - 10. Our Barbecue and Hearth Appliance Safety information was well received by Fire Officers and the public. These handouts are available on the HPBAC website for anyone with an interest in providing general safety tips to their customers. Look in the Homeowner Section under Product Safety.
Burning Bylaws have been in the news lately, with several municipalities considering new bylaw creation. The HPBAC Ontario Chapter has made a commitment to attend as many of these public meetings as possible, and to work with communities in developing any burning bylaw proposed. A draft bylaw is available on the HPBAC website for anyone interested in the process.
Atlantic Chapter
The Chapter AGM was held in Dieppe, New Brunswick in June. The day was education filled, with Rick Vahlos from HPBA doing a presentation on Hiring and Retainig Employees and Managing the Details to Improve Sales. Scott Smith from Shaw Resources delivered a presentation about Pellets explaining the supply situation last year and what they plan on doing for the busy season. His presentation was called "Pellets - a Reality Check". Finally, a round table discussion was held with members discussing issues in the Atlantic Provinces. There were 40 plus members in attendance. The Chapter would like to thank those who attended and also would like to invite any members or future members to our education days.
In the near future, the Atlantic Chapter will form Government Affairs and Communications committees. We are looking for any member who is willing to give a little time to join a committee. One of the things the Committee will work on immediately is our own newsletter. If you have a story or idea for the newsletter please contact Norma Bourque, the Chapter Administrator.
If there are any Atlantic Chapter members who would like to travel to Expo and aren't sure where to start with the preparations or travel you can Contact Norma Bourque at hpbacatl@nbnet.nb.ca , she would be more than happy to help with your plans.
The 2010 AGM will be held in Nova Scotia. More news to come in the near future.
Prairie Chapter
The chapter hosted two Surviving the Storm workshops in Calgary and Edmonton with Tom Pugh this summer.
The Prairie Chapter Executive Administrator continues to monitor regulatory issues through the provincial government, Standata and the city of Calgary. Members should monitor their local municipal government for unfavourable bylaw development and forward any concerns to Roger Leach.
Roger Leach attended the HPBAC Annual General Meeting and Board Meeting in October, representing Prairie Chapter members.
In the new year, contact will be made with Prairie Chapter members to solicit ideas for an event in June to provide face to face meeting time. At this meeting discussion will take place to determine the future path of the Prairie Chapter.
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Consumers Prefer to Stay at Home to Cook Out
For great grilled food, consumers want meals with the backyard-grill taste. Revealed in a new national poll from HPBA, two out of three (66 percent) consumers would rather stay in and grill out at home when they are in the mood for grilled meals versus eating out at a restaurant. Grillers confirm, outdoor cooking provides a quick, no-fuss, economical way to prepare a meal for family and friends.
When choosing to stay home for that delicious, straight from the grill or smoker taste, consumers are adamant about who they want in charge of grilling meals and who they don't want at their backyard barbecues. A griller who accommodates everyone's food preferences by serving a variety of different foods including meat, fish and vegetables, ranks as the favorite person to have at a barbecue. Beyond manning the grill, consumers say their least favorite guest to invite to a barbecue is a "Control Freak" - someone who bosses everyone around.
Visit the HPBA Barbecue Section on their website for more scoop on consumer preferences and other valuable barbecue information.
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Sincerely,
Laura Litchfield
HPBAC
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In this Issue...
Government Affairs
about the issues facing the hearth industry across Canada
Chapter Reports
what the Ontario, Atlantic and Prairie Chapters have been up to in 2009.
Consumer Barbecue Preferences
See an example of the interesting facts about consumer preferences available on the HPBA website
New Resources on the website
Links to new press releases, reports and sample letters available on hpbacanada.org
Ask an Expert
Send us your questions and we will find answers and publish them in an upcoming issue and on hpbacanada.blogspot.com |
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New Resources available on hpbacanada.org
Press Releases
Less is More
Reports
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New Source Performance Standard Contributions
Thank you to all members who've contributed to this important fund when renewing their membership this year.
The New Source Performance Standard for wood burning products is the umbrella program for EPA certification. It has been 20 years since this was introduced and it cost HPBA over $1 million, all those years ago, to ensure we still had a wood burning industry at the end of it.
The standard is now being revised and will inevitably result in a much tougher and further reaching standard. All wood burning appliances including pellet, outdoor hydronic, fireplaces, furnaces and boilers are likely to be included this time around. The process is likely to take up to 3 years and the end result will become a benchmark standard for the whole of North America. It will undoubtedly have a huge impact here in Canada.
HPBA is raising a fighting fund. It does not have the resources to meet the demands of the NSPS process from its usual budget. Most of the additional funds required will come from manufacturers but all members are being asked to lend a hand. Whatever your product lines, wood is vital to the health of our industry as a whole. The board of HPBAC supports this effort and has asked members for a contribution. Your industry needs your support. If would like to make a contribution please contact our office at hpbac@bellnet.ca |
Trivia Question
Click on the link above to test your knowledge of the hearth, patio and barbecue industry |
Ask the Experts
Do you have a question about building codes, standards, HPBAC programs or just about anything. Send us your question and we will do our best to find the answer.
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