Built in the union. Focused on results.
ABOUT MATT
Matt Wayland is the Regional Organizing Coordinator, Eastern Canada for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Canada.
Matt’s career in the IBEW began in 2001 as a construction and maintenance electrical apprentice in the Niagara Region Local Union 303. Early on, he became active in the local union’s apprenticeship program, serving as an apprentice representative on the Local Joint Apprenticeship Council and working to strengthen training and member engagement.
After becoming a licensed Red Seal construction and maintenance electrician, Matt was elected by his fellow members to serve a three-year term on the Local Union Executive Board. He later served as Recording Secretary, helping to modernize communications and raise the profile of the IBEW across the Niagara Region. In 2009, members elected Matt as President of the local union, where he focused on collaboration, visibility, and strengthening the local’s voice across the region and the province.
In 2011, Matt was appointed IBEW Canada’s first full-time political action and media strategist. In that national role, he worked alongside local union leaders and members across the country, providing training, education, and support to help build a strong, grassroots political program rooted in the priorities of working members. For 13 years he advocated on behalf of IBEW members in every sector on Parliament Hill, becoming a dependable and trustworthy source for politicians of all stripes, parliamentary staff, public servants up to and including Deputy Ministers, Ministers, and the Prime Minister.
Today, as Regional Organizing Coordinator for Eastern Canada, Matt works directly with local unions, Business Managers, and their organizers to support organizing campaigns, expand IBEW membership, and position members for opportunities in emerging sectors and major projects.
key accomplishments
Local Union Leadership & Governance
Local Union Apprentice Representative to the Joint Apprenticeship Council (2003–2006).
Elected President, IBEW Local 303 (2010) after serving on the Executive Board (elected 2007).
Served as Pension Trustee, Health and Welfare Trustee, and Stabilization Fund Trustee.
Board Member, IBEW Local 303 Building Corporation (2010).
Served on the Local Union's Strategic Planning, Audit, and Political Action Committees (2005–2011).
National Political & Government Relations Leadership
Appointed as IBEW First District's first full-time Political Action/Government Relations Representative (2011).
Built and coordinated Local Union Political Action Committees across Canada, strengthening grassroots engagement at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels.
Established and led the IBEW First District National Political Action Committee.
Represented IBEW on the Canadian Labour Congress Canadian Council (Advisor, 2011–2024).
Led IBEW's participation on the Canadian Labour Congress National Political Action Committee (2011–2024).
Government Relations & Public Policy
Led IBEW's work on the Government of Canada's Employment Insurance Commission (2012–2024).
Played a leading advocacy role with the Canadian Building Trades Unions (CBTU) on national policy initiatives.
Served as IBEW's lead representative during CUSMA (NAFTA 2.0) negotiations, working directly with senior federal officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Canada's Chief Negotiator.
Led IBEW's engagement on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), focusing on labour mobility and skilled trades credential recognition.
National Appointments
Appointed by the Government of Canada to the Task Force on the Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities (2018).
Appointed by the Prime Minister as Co-Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Promoting Careers in the Skilled Trades (2019).
Appointed by the Minister of Labour to the Union-Led Advisory Table (2023).
Skilled Trades & Workforce Development
Represented IBEW on Helmets to Hardhats Canada (2012–2018), helping Canadian veterans transition into careers in the skilled trades.
Worked to expand opportunities for apprentices, skilled tradespeople, and the next generation of workers through national policy and workforce development initiatives.
Advocacy & Campaign Achievements
Directed national political campaigns during the 2015, 2019, and 2021 federal elections, mobilizing IBEW members and local unions across Canada.
Played a key role in defeating anti-union legislation, including Bills C-377 and C-525.
Successfully advocated for the inclusion of the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) in the federal Liberal and NDP election platforms, contributing to its implementation.
Helped secure the federal government's ban on asbestos and asbestos-containing products and advocated for the creation of a registry of federal workplaces containing asbestos.
International Representation
Represented IBEW at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24) in Katowice, Poland (2018).