Who We Are

WELL GOVERNED LARGE NATURAL GAS CONSUMER ASSOCIATION IN ONTARIO AND QUEBEC


• Founded in 1973, the Industrial Gas Users Association (IGUA) represents the largest industrial users of natural gas in Ontario and Quebec. Membership spans across mining, metals, petrochemicals, chemicals, forest products, and manufacturing sectors.
• IGUA is an effective intervenor for the industry at regulatory hearings related to natural gas at the Ontario Energy Board, the Régie de l’énergie, and the Canadian Energy Regulator.
• IGUA advocates with provincial and federal governments on policy issues that impact reliable access to natural gas at a competitive price.

Chair

Serge Laflamme

Serge Laflamme, ing., P. Eng.

SERGE LAFLAMME

Serge Laflamme has a degree in electrical Engineering from the Université de Laval. He joined Rayonier Advanced Materials in 1997 and over the course of his 27-year career has worked in the areas of engineering, project management, construction, energy management and procurement.

In 2006, Mr. Laflamme was promoted to a corporate role supporting energy management for electricity and natural gas procurement and energy project development. He was appointed as Manager, Energy and commodity Procurement in October 2014. After the acquisition of Tembec by Rayonier Advanced Materials, he as been promoted as Manager, Energy procurement. In his new function, Mr. Laflamme is responsible for procurement of all energy for Rayonier Advanced Material in Canada, USA and France.

Serge is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario and the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec. He sits as a Director on the IGUA Board, Chair of IGUA and is actively involved with Industry associations focusing on the energy sector.

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Vice Chair

Douglas Dias

Douglas Dias

DOUGLAS DIAS

Doug is the Vice President, Sales & Market Development at Greenfield Global. Doug works with customers to empower the low-carbon economy of today and tomorrow. He is responsible for customer relationships in biofuels and Greenfield’s market development in adjacent low-carbon markets like RNG and Green Hydrogen. Doug is an integral member of Greenfield’s strategy and investment committee. A recognized industry leader, he believes in pursuing all avenues to achieve a Net Zero economy. He joined Greenfield in 2008. Prior to his current role, Doug held the position of Chief Risk Officer.

Doug represents Greenfield on several industry associations, including Renewable Industries Canada, the Industrial Gas Users Association and the Methanol Institute. He works with industry leaders and stakeholders to shape public policies that promote renewable fuels, foster innovation, and support low-carbon products and technologies.

Doug holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Arts & Science from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University. He is a Derivative Market Specialist (DMS) certified by the Canadian Securities Institute and holds the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) accreditation from the Global Risk Management Institute.

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Treasurer

Darcy - Headshot

Darcy Palmer

DARCY PALMER

Darcy has 19 years of experience in the steelmaking industry with Stelco Inc.  He started his career in Blast Furnace operations, progressing through several technical and operational roles, culminating as the Manager of Blast Furnace Operations in 2014.  In 2017, Darcy moved into procurement as the Director of Raw Materials, responsible for all of Stelco's incoming raw material requirements. In 2021, he was named Director of Energy, Industrial Gases and Non-Steel Sales which is his current role at Stelco.   Darcy holds a degree in Chemical Engineering (2005) and an MBA (2010) both from McMaster University.   He also serves on the Board of Directors of AMPCO.

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President

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Jacob Irving

Jacob Irving

Following a more than twenty-year career across various energy sectors, Jacob Irving became the President of the Industrial Gas Users Association (IGUA) in November of 2024. His experience has been divided almost evenly between the petroleum and electricity industries. He has spent most of this time, successfully leading prominent associations, including the Oil Sands Developers Group, the Canadian Hydropower Association and most recently, the Energy Council of Canada.

Originally from the Huron and Franco-Ontarian community of Penetanguishene, Mr. Irving attended French Language Primary and Secondary Schools, which led him to pursue post- secondary studies at the University of Ottawa. His education and work experience have taken him and his family from South Africa to Calgary, to Fort McMurray and Regina, with a return to Ottawa.

As President of IGUA, Mr. Irving leads a team of dedicated professionals who advocate with provincial and federal governments on policy issues that impact reliable access to natural gas at a competitive price.  He knows the interests of large-scale energy users are central to the continued creation of products that are critical to Canada’s national interest.  He is also aware that these same energy interests are equally important to the thousands of employees who work for large energy consumers.

Mr. Irving has significant knowledge of Canadian energy systems combined with a specialization in the areas of government policy, regulation, communications and stakeholder engagement. He is a passionate champion of all forms of Canadian energy and has promoted the country’s products, services and expertise nationally and internationally.  He is primarily concerned with matters related to energy security and promoting Canada’s continued, enviable strength in this critical area of growth and sustainable development.

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IGUA Members

         

IGUA Sponsors

 

Testimonials

Industrial Gas Users Association | l’Association Des Consommateurs Industriels De Gaz

“The comradery with other natural gas buyers, finding out the way they solved problems, and what worked for them was incredibly valuable. I became a much smarter gas buyer with the IGUA organization at my side.”

- John Creighton, Director Business Development, Greenfield Global Inc.