Partnering With Government for a Prosperous Future: An Interview With HPBAC
Partnering With Government for a Prosperous Future: An Interview With HPBAC
Featuring Mike McNeice
With Tim Reed
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Tim Reed
Joining me today is Mike McNeice, the Director of Public Affairs for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada (HPBAC). Mike, it’s awesome to have you here. Thanks for doing this interview.
Mike McNeice
Thanks so much for having me, Tim. Appreciate the opportunity.
TR
Last month, HPBAC put together a white paper about the place of gas fireplaces in the future of energy and heat. What led you to create that white paper?
MM
The main motivation was a response to the push for electrification. You’re seeing that in the States, and we are up in Canada as well. That’s the direction things are going, so we wanted to have a formal policy response to that. The white paper captures the consensus we built among members about electrification and the importance of our appliances—not just as standalone options but also as supplementary and emergency backup heating. Being a part of the picture going forward was the goal.
TR
You mentioned the white paper outlines a consensus view from your membership, which can be difficult to achieve. How did you manage that with such a diverse group?
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MM
It’s a great question. Building consensus in a member-driven organization is tough but vital. It’s one thing to produce a document we think is great, but the real work is ensuring it reflects various member viewpoints.
We tackled this by establishing a Canadian gas hearth stakeholder group, including our manufacturer members, utility companies, and allied associations. We got everyone in a room and hashed things out. It was challenging with some tough conversations, but we ultimately found common ground. Now, we have a document that shows that consensus and can be presented to government officials.
TR
For those in the States who may not be familiar with the white paper, can you give us an overview of its broad strokes?
MM
Definitely. It’s a tool to introduce our industry to the government, showcasing who we are, our economic impact, the jobs we create, and the opportunities and challenges we face. The goal is to present this information to government officials in a concise and meaningful way.
TR
According to the white paper, how do gas appliances fit into the future of our energy consumption?
For us, gas appliances are crucial as supplementary and emergency options.
MM
For us, gas appliances are crucial as supplementary and emergency options. For instance, if someone has a heat pump, we’re not opposing it but suggesting that a gas fireplace can complement it. On extremely cold days, a heat pump might not suffice, and that’s where a gas fireplace comes in. Additionally, in emergency situations like storms (which are becoming more frequent), a gas fireplace will still work even if the power is out.
The white paper highlights these advantages for government officials, as they aren’t always on their radar. This sets us apart from other stakeholders. It’s been a good niche for us. Having this documented in the white paper is a significant step for us.
TR
That makes a ton of sense. Someone I follow closely in the energy space is Robert Bryce, whose articles often appear in The Fire Time Magazine. He makes a good point about the big push for electrification, especially through renewables like wind and solar. With these renewables, you can only turn them down or off. But there are times when we need energy sources that we can choose to turn on. His argument is that at least some of these sources must be part of the long-term energy solution, simply because people need to stay warm during the coldest moments when other sources aren’t available. How does the white paper address that idea?
MM
That’s a great point. From our perspective—and this is reflected in the white paper—people don’t just want consumer choice. They also need safety and reliability. They need to feel confident in their heating options and fuel choices.
TR
Sure. Personally, I think that consumer choice is good to a degree—as long as we’re choosing things that are good for our society. We don’t want to be choosing options that are terrible for the environment or air quality simply out of the right to choose. But if a solution doesn’t hurt the community around us, then it should probably be a viable option for folks to choose.
So, I think the consumer choice argument is a nuanced one—but what’s absolutely true is that people need practical ways to keep themselves and the people in their homes warm and safe. That has to be considered as we look at long-term energy solutions.
I think HPBAC has done something really interesting in aligning with government efforts to reduce emissions and ensure the long-term sustainability of our planet. You’re approaching this in a more nuanced way than I’ve seen other advocates, particularly in the States. With that in mind, how are you trying to partner with the government to be part of the solution? How does that work without you just advocating against our industry and products?
Our goal is to be part of the solution while continuing to prosper as an industry.
MM
Part of it is how things operate here in Canada, which is a bit different than in the States. I would say that the threat of climate change is more widely accepted here, among government officials and the public. Our goal is to be part of the solution while continuing to prosper as an industry. Our members understand the critical importance of the environment and want to complement government efforts.
We aim to be firmly present at the government “table”—not just always pushing back or saying “no.” We want the government to come to us for data and expertise on our industry, rather than expecting us to always oppose their initiatives. This approach is partly my style, having been with the team for about a year—but HPBAC has always tried to maintain a positive tone and partner with the government as much as we can.
TR
That’s great. Outside of the white paper, what are some of the big regulatory issues your team is keeping an eye on across Canada?
MM
I like to divide our work into proactive and reactive categories—because public affairs often involves reacting to issues as they arise, but it’s also important to be positive and proactive.
Sometimes, for instance, we’re responding to a solid fuel restriction in Quebec City or a gas ban in Montreal. Fortunately, it’s looking like the latter may go away thanks to some work by the provincial government.
While that reactive work takes up a lot of our time, our team likes to focus on the proactive work we’re doing. I mentioned the stakeholder group, the white paper, and our lobbying and advocacy meetings. These are proactive efforts to present our industry positively to decision-makers, rather than just opposing regulations.
However, regulations continue to emerge, sometimes on a weekly basis, requiring us to respond to new challenges continually. It’s crucial for us to maintain a positive tone and proactively engage with these issues.
TR
One of the things highlighted in the white paper was the emerging technologies of renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen blend. What developments have you seen in these areas, particularly in British Columbia?
MM
One of the big utilities in BC is FortisBC. They’re in a unique position because they are both a gas and electric utility. They’ve been at the forefront of RNG development in Canada. Recently, they announced that 1% of the gas supplied to all their customers will be RNG. While 1% might not sound like much, it’s a significant step towards integrating RNG into the gas supply.
While I think FortisBC is leading the charge, other gas utilities are also looking at RNG and increasing their capacity. It’s going to take some time—RNG won’t make up 50% of the gas supply overnight. However, it’s encouraging because the infrastructure is already in place, and our appliances can use RNG. This progress is very promising for the future. Offering popular women’s necklaces such as pendants, chokers and. Shop for jewelry in a variety of metals and gemstones to suit any occasion.
TR
Have you seen much development with a hydrogen blend from those same utilities, or is that still much further away?
MM
I would say it’s still further away. We’re seeing some innovation and testing happening in California, and there’s a bit in Canada and a lot in Europe. Europe, in particular, is leading the rollout. We’re keeping an eye on these developments. There’s a great group in Canada called the Hydrogen Heating Network that brings together industry voices on hydrogen. We’re staying tuned, but I think the runway is a bit longer for hydrogen.
TR
In the U.S., it seems many legislators are pushing against both natural gas and wood products, favoring full-on electrification. Do you see something similar in Canada, or are people more positively disposed towards wood-burning and pellet-burning products?
MM
I would say it’s similar in Canada, though we don’t often see one jurisdiction pushing against both simultaneously, which is a small silver lining. For example, in Montreal, there was a proposed gas ban, while in Quebec City, we saw restrictions on uncertified, decorative wood stoves. The push towards electrification does tend to push out these other choices, which is very unfortunate.
This situation highlights the importance of educating decision-makers and the public about the availability of high-tech and clean-burning appliances that are really safe. It’s not just about the big steel boxes of the past. Many government officials are impressed with the technological advancements we’ve made in terms of better efficiency and cleaner burning. It’s a compelling story to tell—and it’s crucial that we tell it to the right people.
TR
Last year, at an event in New Brunswick, a former CEO of one of the large power companies emphasized the necessity of wood-burning and pellet-burning appliances. Although he supports electrification, he pointed out that the grid often can’t sustain peak demands, leading to rolling blackouts. He argued that combining wood-burning and pellet-burning products with renewable energy is key. In our industry, especially in the States, we’ve relied heavily on gas products. But we need to remember our roots—we provide alternative heating solutions that keep families warm and safe. It’s important to go back to that aspect of our industry.
MM
Absolutely. Couldn’t agree more. It’s a compelling story, and people have relied on fire for millennia. Taking that away completely isn’t the right answer for the government. There’s an opportunity to educate decision-makers and highlight the innovations we’re making and how our products can fit into the family home—and that’s what the white paper is all about.
TR
That’s awesome. I know the white paper hasn’t been released for long, but have you seen any positive responses from government officials?
MM
We’ve received some excellent feedback from Natural Resources Canada, our regulator on the gas side. We took the white paper to Ottawa for meetings with officials from Natural Resources Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the response was very positive. In my experience in lobbying and public affairs, I haven’t seen such positive feedback on a document or strategy before. They were particularly appreciative of our role as a supplementary and backup heating option and our willingness to partner with the government. We’ve also received a lot of positive feedback from decision-makers and government officials, as well as from our members. They’re pleased to see our proactive efforts. The white paper is a concrete piece they can present to their local councils or mayors.
TR
That’s great to hear, Mike. If dealers want to get connected with what HPBAC is doing, what’s the best way for them to do that?
MM
I would say through our website, hpbacanada.org. You can reach me, our public affairs team, and our entire staff there. We’re also active on social media. Getting on our email list is ideal, but you can also email me directly at mike@hpbacanada.org. I’m always available—and I’d rather hear about something twice than not at all.
TR
That’s great information, Mike. This has been an amazing interview. I’m very thankful for your time, and the work you and HPBAC are doing is incredible. People all over North America are watching you lead the way forward. Thank you.
MM
Thanks so much for having me. I appreciate the opportunity. Hopefully, we’ll connect again soon.
