Montreal Hosts PLCAC
PLCAC Board of Directors
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 their 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’s Toronto Argonauts.
PLCAC honorary member Ted Shipka (seated), with his wife Glenda.
David Kavanaugh, of O.J. Pipelines Canada and outgoing PLCAC president, chaired the overall meeting and reported the Canadian pipeline market is very strong but faces labor shortages. He noted pipeline contractors are dealing 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 and pipelines projected to 2020. His presentation included distribution, maintenance and service projects.
On two of the evenings, the attendees were treated to unique experiences. On Tuesday night, May 14, the conventioneers were bused to a traditional Canadian maple grove 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 its Canadian dealers.
At the Gala affair, Kavanaugh turned the president’s gavel over to Johnstone for the year 2013-2014. The 2014 convention will be held in Vancouver, May 11-15.
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