Canada’s propane industry is entering a new era, with export volumes to Asia, especially in Japan—surging in recent years. As Canada strengthens its role as a clean energy supplier, the Canada Propane Association (CPA) is helping lead the charge. In this conversation with Bridges Magazine, President and CEO Shannon Watt shares insights on the industry’s evolution, CPA’s global advocacy, and the opportunities for deepening Canada-Japan collaboration.
Bridges: Can you give us an overview of Canada’s propane sector and how the CPA supports its growth, both domestically and internationally?
Shannon Watt: Propane is a pretty remarkable energy source—it is clean burning, very portable, and easily stored for decades. It’s used in numerous applications, making it a really versatile energy source. In Canada, people recognize propane is used residentially, but that’s actually only 10% of usage. The rest is in industry, agriculture, transportation—it literally gets used from coast to coast to coast.
We represent about 400 companies across Canada, and our role is to promote propane, support best practices and safety, and advocate for the industry both domestically and internationally. It’s literally in everyone’s backyard under their noses—and yet we get missed in policies and regulations. So part of our job is to ensure governments understand propane’s value.
What were your takeaways from your recent mission to Japan with Canadian and Indigenous leaders?
One of my key takeaways from the Japan mission was the importance of having strong relationships. Canada and Japan share similar values, and we’re a reliable, close partner. We also see opportunities to collaborate not just in addressing climate change, but in research and innovation. There’s a lot of room for our industries to learn from each other.
What’s behind the surge in Canadian propane exports to Asia, and how do you see this evolving?
From five years ago, when we exported almost all propane to the U.S., we’ve grown to now sending about 40% of exports to Asia. Japan alone takes about 25%. Off the West Coast, Canada can deliver energy to Japan in half—or even a third—the time it would take from the U.S.
With strategic partnerships, forward-looking policies, and a commitment to sustainability, the Canada Propane Association is positioning propane not just as a transitional fuel—but as a long-term solution.
Shannon Watt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Propane Association
We’re working with our federal government to ensure policies support infrastructure projects, expedite permitting, and build trade agreements that open opportunities in Asia. The momentum is already there, and we want to keep it going.
How does CPA position propane as a lower-emission alternative?
Compared to coal and oil, propane is much more efficient in terms of carbon intensity. It’s clean burning, safe, and doesn’t impact air quality the same way. We released a decarbonization paper last spring—and our members are walking the walk. We’ve had three announcements this year alone on reducing carbon intensity, including adding renewable propane and dimethyl ether to Canada’s energy mix.
Our goal is to continue driving propane’s carbon intensity down. It’s already a lower-emission fuel, and we’re making it even cleaner.
As global energy priorities shift toward cleaner, more reliable alternatives, Canada’s propane industry is proving its readiness to lead. With strategic partnerships, forward-looking policies, and a commitment to sustainability, the Canada Propane Association is positioning propane not just as a transitional fuel—but as a long-term solution.
