Montreal Hosts Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada’s Annual Convention

The Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada held its 59th annual convention May 12-16 at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Montreal. It was another well attended meeting in the history of PLCAC conventions with close to 300 conventioneers. The conventions are noted for its blend of business, informative guest speakers, fun activities,and a formal banquet.

This year’s meeting featured the induction of Ted Shipka, Wolverine Pipeline Transport Ltd, as an honorary member of PLCAC. Shipka was taken by total surprise at the annual banquet. Guest speakers included Robert Jones, TransCanada Pipelines, Vivian Krause, an advocate and writer, and Michael “Pinball” Clemons of the Canadian Football League Toronto Argonauts. David Kavanaugh, O.J. Pipelines Canada, outgoing President chaired the overall meeting and reported the Canadian pipeline market is very strong but facing labor shortages. He noted pipeline contractors are faced with an aging workforce and the mobile nature of pipeline work is unfavorably viewed by the younger generation. David Johnstone, TW Johnstone & Co., presented an excellent recap of new and continuous pipeline projects, as well as pipelines projected to 2020. His presentation included distribution and maintenance and service projects.

Two evenings the attendees were treated to unique experiences. Tuesday night the conventioneers were bused to a traditional Canadian maple grow setting featuring dinner and much entertainment. The evening was sponsored by John Deere and its Canadian dealers. Wednesday there was a Mardi Gras theme party at the hotel sponsored by Caterpillar and their Canadian dealers.

At the Gala affair, Kavanaugh appropriately turned the gavel over to Johnstone for the year 2013-2014. The 2014 convention will be held in Vancouver May 11-15.