The 30th Annual OPCA Conference, held from March 3-5, brought together petroleum contractors, suppliers, and industry experts in conjunction with the Convenience U/Carwacs Show. This milestone event featured manufacturer training sessions, the POST Safety Forum, keynote speakers, industry presentations, and engaging entertainment, reinforcing OPCA’s commitment to supporting members and enhancing industry standards.
March 3 – Manufacturer Training & Opening Reception
The conference began with a full day of manufacturer training sessions, which provided attendees with hands-on learning and technical insights. More than 100 members and their employees participated, gaining valuable knowledge from industry leaders.
A special thank you to the following companies for leading these sessions:
Cocktail Reception & Casino Night
To close the day, OPCA hosted a cocktail reception and casino night, offering attendees a chance to relax, network, and enjoy some friendly competition. Casino-style games were a hit, and the evening ended with a prize draw for gift cards.
This social event set the tone for a collaborative and engaging conference experience.
March 4 – POST Safety Forum & Industry Discussions
The POST Safety Forum, a key event in OPCA’s ongoing safety initiatives, was held at the International Centre. Mike Lamont of National Energy Equipment served as the Master of Ceremonies, guiding discussions with his usual professionalism and expertise.
POST Committee Updates
POST Committee Chair Michelle Rae provided an update on the latest POST safety initiatives, highlighting:
- The introduction of the new Equipment Checklist, which permanently replaces the Heavy Equipment Lifting and Critical Lifting Checklists.
- Updates to the Maintenance Safe Work Permit to enhance usability and workflow.
- EV Safety Documentation Enhancements, reinforcing stored energy awareness and the necessity of arc flash-rated PPE for EV-related tasks.
- The POST Committee ensures safety documentation is practical, up-to-date, and aligned with industry regulations.
POST Training Milestones
Michelle shared the latest statistics on POST training participation:
20,000 workers completed the POST course in 2024—a major milestone!
Company retention remains high, with many businesses enrolling employees annually.
A 33% increase in Level 2 participation, including more first-time Level 2 trainees.
A 30% increase in individuals progressing from Level 1 to Level 2 over the past five years, demonstrating growing industry commitment to advanced safety training.
New POST Forecourt Safety Video
Michelle also introduced POST’s newest safety initiative—a Forecourt Safety Video, which visually demonstrates:
- Best practices for technicians and Site Operators.
- Hazard identification and risk mitigation strategies.
- Effective work zone management and communication on-site.
Special thanks to Mike Papulkas, Jim Hunter, BGIS technician Harp Banwait, and Shell Unionville Manager Godfrey Yap for their contributions to this project.
Human Organizational Performance (HOP) & Critical Control Assurance Presentation
Kate Fee and Jawad Rashid from Suncor presented on Human Organizational Performance (HOP), emphasizing:
- People make mistakes—it’s a natural part of human behaviour.
- The “zero incidents” mentality is unrealistic, and the focus should shift to creating resilient systems that can fail safely.
- Critical Control Assurance helps identify and strengthen essential safety measures.
- This discussion reinforced the importance of proactive safety strategies over-reactive responses.
POST Volunteer Appreciation Awards
This year, OPCA honoured two outstanding individuals for their contributions to the POST program:
🏆 Lou Cerruti – A founding member of POST, recognized for his longstanding leadership and foundational contributions to safety training.
🏆 Kate Fee – A dedicated committee member celebrated for her enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and active engagement.
Keynote Speaker: Meg Soper
This was an inspiring keynote from Meg Soper, who delivered an engaging session on creating a positive workplace culture and bridging generational differences. Using humour and relatable insights, Meg provided practical strategies for improving collaboration and morale in diverse work environments.
Her presentation was the highlight of the safety forum, resonating with attendees and sparking meaningful discussions.
March 4 Evening – Annual Dinner & Entertainment
The annual OPCA dinner featured special guest and illusionist Magic Mike D’Urzo. His mind-blowing illusions, humour, and audience engagement created an electric atmosphere, making this one of the most talked-about performances in OPCA conference history!
March 5 – OPCA Annual General Meeting (AGM)
President’s Address – Ken Jamieson
During the AGM, President Ken Jamieson expressed his appreciation for the Board of Directors and called for new voices to get involved. He also announced plans to post OPCA meeting schedules on the website, encouraging member engagement.
Advocacy & Industry Updates
Ongoing collaboration with TSSA to update outdated codes and regulations.
OPCA is developing a new video based on the TSSA Site Operator Checklist. This video outlines key responsibilities, including spill response, emergency procedures, and recognizing unsafe practices at the pumps. It will be freely available on the OPCA website, and we encourage our members to share the link with their customers to enhance awareness at fuel facilities. While we will continue pushing for mandatory training, this resource is a step toward improving industry-wide safety.
OPCA has participated in discussions with Environment Canada and Climate Change regarding updates to their storage tank system regulations. These conversations have been highly productive, with active engagement and a genuine interest in OPCA’s input. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and contribute to shaping these regulations.
Remembering Carmen Villeneuve & Lindsay Gray
The OPCA took a moment to honour two industry pioneers:
Carmen Villeneuve of Alf’s Pump Service passed away this past November after a long illness. Many knew Carmen as a strong supporter of OPCA—he even served on our Board in 2017. Our thoughts go out to his wife, Mary Ellen, and his children, including Zack, who has now taken the reins at Alf’s. Carmen will be remembered for his good nature, dedication, and passion for the industry.
Lindsay Gray was a respected colleague and friend. Many will remember him as a founding member and former director of the OPCA. Though he retired years ago, his leadership helped shape the association, and his contributions will not be forgotten.
On behalf of the OPCA, we extend our condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues.
Guest Speakers & Industry Insights
OPCA Insurance Program Manager David Mason provided a detailed analysis of climate change’s impact on the Canadian insurance market, highlighting record-breaking catastrophic losses and the evolving industry response.
- 2024 was a record-breaking year for catastrophic insurance claims in Canada, totalling $9 billion in losses.
- Significant climate events in Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec drove unprecedented damage and claims payouts.
- Despite climate-driven losses, the insurance industry remains profitable thanks to strong financial management and market cycles.
- A shift away from the hard market phase is underway, with insurers showing greater flexibility in pricing and renewals.
{Read Dave’s full report in the insurance blog}
TSSA Presentation – Owen Kennedy, Sandra Cooke, & Gary Highfield
The presentation focused on TSSA’s transformation into an Outcome-Based Regulator (OBR) and provided updates on progress, industry safety data, and compliance standards in the fuels sector.
TSSA’s Outcome-Based Regulatory Model
- The transition to OBR ensures a risk-informed approach to safety oversight, prioritizing harm reduction over traditional compliance-based methods.
- TSSA leverages data to assess risks, refine safety strategies, and enhance compliance through prevention and partnerships.
- This approach is applied consistently across all TSSA programs, from authorizations to enforcement.
Guiding Principles of the OBR Model
- Prioritizing risk reduction for public safety.
- Making evidence-based, proportional decisions.
- Regulating transparently and collaboratively.
- Utilizing a complete regulatory toolkit (inspections, education, enforcement).
- Rewarding compliance and safety improvements.
Key Transformation Initiatives
- Data Collection: Maintaining accurate, high-quality data for safety decision-making.
- Risk Analytics: Using data to identify and address high-risk areas.
- Licensing: Ensuring timely renewals to maintain regulatory oversight.
- Compliance Standards: Implementing data-driven compliance measures to improve safety in the fuels industry.
Compliance Standards & Their Benefits
- Clear identification of high-risk safety issues for inspection and enforcement.
- Greater consistency, transparency, and accountability for regulated industries.
- Defined responsibilities for industry stakeholders, ensuring proactive safety management.
- Prioritization of high-risk non-compliance issues to protect workers, contractors, and the public.
Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard
- Licensing, facility modifications, and employee training requirements.
- Mandatory record-keeping for leak detection, shear-valve tests, and corrosion protection.
- Compliance with equipment approval, safety distances, and vapour recovery standards.
- Regular inspections to ensure leak-tight dispensers and emergency breakaway devices.
- Video monitoring for safety oversight and adherence to the Liquid Fuels Handling Code.
TSSA’s shift to an Outcome-Based Regulatory model enhances safety through data-driven decision-making and targeted compliance measures. The new standards ensure clearer expectations, more effective oversight, and improved safety for the fuel industry and the public.
OPCA Board Elections
Re-elected Board Members:
Ken Jamieson – General Member
John Richards – Associate Director
Bill Rathwell – Eastern Region Director
Lou Cerruti – Metro West Director
Congratulations to Christian Tenaglia (Lajoie Bros.) on being elected Director at Large!
Honorary Membership Presentation
A special presentation was made to Jan Watson of GJ Watson Service Station maintenance. Although now retired, Jan remains an active supporter of OPCA, maintaining his membership and regularly attending the annual conference. In recognition of his dedication and longstanding contributions, OPCA is honoured to bestow an Honorary Membership to GJ Watson Service Station Maintenance—a small token of our appreciation for his enduring impact on the association and the industry.
Closing Keynote – Sunjay Nath
Our keynote speaker was award-winning speaker Sunjay Nath. He is best known for his trademark, “The 10-80-10 Principle,” a framework that helps individuals and teams improve performance. His engaging talk helped the audience put their own priorities into perspective, whether they relate to their work or personal lives.
Sunjay offers personalized coaching for your business and team. Visit SunjayNath.com to learn more.
OPCA Annual Year in Review video
We also presented the OPCA Annual Year in Review video. The video highlights OPCA’s programs and initiatives and includes the president’s and other members’ insights. It is available on OPCA’s YouTube channel.
Final Thoughts
The 30th Annual OPCA Conference was a resounding success. It brought together industry leaders, facilitated education, and strengthened safety initiatives.
Thank you to all attendees—we look forward to seeing you next year!