At the Canada LNG Export conference in Vancouver, May 10-12, 2016, Boilermakers were promoting "The Boilermaker Advantage" to the delegates. The conference was attended by LNG industry experts who shared their knowledge of the opportunities for Canada in the industry.

The Canadian International Vice President, Joseph Maloney, was a panel presenter and discussed the development of a skilled workforce with the other panel members. Maloney explained to the stakeholders in the room what a Boilermaker is and that the Boilermakers will be building the LNG plants in Canada.

Maloney described how the Boilermaker industry develops people from apprentices into red seal tradesman and into workplace leaders. He was very clear that there is no skilled trades shortage problem in Canada, just a shortage of tradesmen willing to work for $15.00 hour. He further explained that when a shortage does happen, the IBB does have a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program but only uses it after the Union has exhausted all avenues to get qualified Canadians. The TFW gets the same wages and treatment as a Canadian, with no extra charges to them or the employer, they are treated fairly.

The comments from some of the other stakeholders in the room regarded the positive role tradespeople play in our communities and industries. One attendee told the room they are proud of their child who became a welder.

At the exhibition centre, Lodge 359 Business Manager Martin Nicholson and Training Coordinator Gordon Weel advanced the union and her members to the delegates by promoting the Boilermaker Advantage.