Sherbrooke, Quebec, November 25, 2004 -- The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, is pleased to announce an information session to be held in Sherbrooke regarding CANtex, a new Government of Canada initiative. The goal of this program, with a three-year $26.7-million budget envelope, is to enhance the productivity of textile enterprises, reduce their operating costs, increase their efficiency and diversify their products. CANtex builds on the record of the Canadian Apparel and Textile Industries Program (CATIP), introduced by the Government of Canada on January 1, 2003 notably to help the industries adjust to the elimination, by January 1, 2005, of import quotas on apparel and textiles. The CATIP led to the completion of eight projects in the Eastern Townships region. The Government of Canada contributed $381,696 under that program, which generated $1,037,715 in investment and led to the maintenance of 779 jobs and the creation of a further 27 jobs. In February 2004, the Government of Canada announced a series of measures totalling $60 million to benefit the textile and apparel industries, and CANtex was one such measure. This program was drawn up on the basis of the recommendations of a joint task force on the textile and apparel industries set up by the Government of Canada, consisting of sectoral and government representatives. It was charged with identifying the issues and challenges posed by growing competition in this sector. 'As Minister of Canada Economic Development,' stated Jacques Saada, 'I invite you to attend this information session in large numbers. It was designed for you—textile entrepreneurs, executives and manufacturers. This industry is clearly an engine of the Quebec economy, but it still has to ready itself to deal with the new global marketplace. Diversification, innovation and productivity are key to your success, and with CANtex's assistance we hope to help you achieve those objectives.' During the information session, Government of Canada advisors will provide details on the CANtex program and answer questions. Following this briefing, participants will have learned about the procedure for applying for funding, and about projects and eligible costs, as well as the contact details of those responsible for the program. Canada Economic Development has responsibility for the program in Quebec. The schedule of this meeting is as follows: Thursday, December 2, 2004 at 8:30 amLe Cartier255 Jacques-Cartier South, Sherbrooke Canada Economic Development's mandate is to promote the economic development of the regions of Quebec. Primarily through financial assistance programs, the Agency elicits and supports the implementation of economic development projects. The two priorities the Agency has set itself are to foster innovation and the knowledge economy in each region of Quebec, and to help communities that are experiencing difficulty adjusting to the new economy. In this way, the Agency contributes to the attainment of the Government of Canada's objective of building the 21st century economy. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget. Further details concerning the CANtex program may be found at: http://strategis.gc.ca/ctp. -30- Source: Lyne MontpellierCommunications BranchCanada Economic Development(819) 371-5138 Daniel DezaindePress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques Saada(514) 496-1282
