AGM 2024: Post-Meeting Report
The 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Petroleum Transporters and Technicians Association was held in Niagara Falls on June 18th at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel.
Board Chairman Jim Wood, presided over the meeting, obtaining an approval of the 2023 AGM minutes and 2023 Audited Financial Statements from the members. The firm, Grant Thornton LLP of Kingston was also appointed as the 2024 Financial Auditors. Jim provided the members in attendance with an update of the corporation’s activities over the past year and conducted the election of the Board of Directors for 2024/25. The existing Board members all agreed to maintain their positions for the next year.
They are:
Calvin Bell,
Chris Guy,
Clinton Askwith,
Erin Rhule,
Gary Boucher,
Jim Wood,
Ken Carmichael,
Matt Naslovar,
Paul Rew, and
Rick Hineman
Having exhausted the 2024 AGM agenda, Jim adjourned the business section of the meeting and proceeded with the day’s information sessions.
This year the AGM featured an expanded speaker series that included a full day of presentations on industry related topics.
Jason McWilliams and Dave Amadori of Marsh Canada discussed current insurance conditions and trends affecting our industry with a focus on the need for cyber insurance detailing the types of coverages available for the various kinds of loses that may be incurred through fraudulent internet activities.
Luke Pallister from the Risk Consulting Division of Marsh Canada, provided an update of the operational risk review matrix that is used when Luke performs risk assessments for the members of the OPTTA/Marsh Insurance program. These evaluations will begin again this fall, following a stoppage due to the pandemic.
Clinton Askwith from Modern Niagara, presented an informative session on Federal Tank Regulations, describing the requirements for fuel storage when it’s located on federally regulated lands and also touched on additional federal regulations connected to the liquid fuel industry.
Mario Bouchard of Granby Industries spoke on bio fuels, providing the findings of the US based National Oilheat Research Alliance. Mario reviewed the advances of renewable and bio liquid fuels and explained the bio fuel certifications and approvals of oil burning equipment.
Kelly Hart, the TSSA Director of Fuels Safety, provided an update on the regulators transition to an Outcome-based Regulator commenting on how compliance standards play a decisive role. Kelly also spoke on TSSA Licensing Modernization Initiative (LMI) and TSSA’s strategic plan.
Sandra Cooke, TSSA’s Ombudsman, capped of the day describing TSSA’s program on Lapsed Authorizations, clarified a few items on distributer and contractor audits and reported on her ombudsman’s roll and activities over the past year. Sandra also introduced the new Liquid Fuels Compliance Standards, due to be rolled out in 2025.
Following the speaker’s presentations, Jim thanked everyone for their attendance and adjourned the day’s event.
