Abstract The Canadian Petroleum Association was formed in 1952 after twenty-five years of development since its conception as the Alberta Oil Operators' Association during Turner Valley days. Its membership of 230 oil and gas exploration, development, pipeline and transportation companies which operate mostly in Western Canada represents approximately 97 percent of Canada's petroleum production. Besides having Divisions in the western provinces, the Association has an Ottawa Information Office which serves as a liaison betweenthe industry and the Federal Government. It also maintains a Statistical Economics Department. Introduction What is an association? I think that the answer can be summed up by sayingthat an association is "a voluntary non-profitmaking body formed by independent firms to protect and advance certain interests common to all." Such matters as wage scales, inventories, prices, production statistics, credit and collection reports, legislative advice, economic problems, organization data, methods of finance, and operational procedures are of unique and vital concern to the members of a specific industry. It is claimed that trade associations enable their members to co-ordinate their competitive forces without relinquishing the rewards which result from personal initiative and enterprise. In terms of function, there are two main types of trade associations:Those that confine themselves to voicing the views of their members on matters of common interest.Those that exercise some measure of control over their members. The latter, in many countries, make extensive use of voluntary agreements for controlling prices, output and channels of distribution. In some instances, trade association arrangements go beyond price and output stabilization and take in measures designed to control production capacity. The overwhelming majority of trade associations, including the Canadian Petroleum Association, are of the first type. They prefer self-government of industry by consent rather than by coercion. They avoid any attempts to stifle competition or to bar new entrants by means other than persuasion and presentation of facts. Thereby, they gain the advantages of good will, elasticity of operation and maximum possible membership.