Montreal, Quebec, November 22, 2004 -- The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, is pleased to announce a series of information sessions on CANtex, a new Government of Canada initiative, to be held in Quebec. The goal of this program, with a three-year $26.7-million budget envelope, is to help Canadian textile manufacturing enterprises enhance their competitiveness and find new outlets on domestic and international markets. CANtex builds on the record of the Canadian Apparel and Textile Industries Program (CATIP), introduced by the Government of Canada on January 1, 2003 to help the textile industry adjust to the elimination, by January 1, 2005, of import quotas on apparel and textiles. The CATIP led to the completion of 159 projects in Quebec. The Government of Canada contributed some $9.5 million under that program, which generated $28 million in investment and led to the maintenance of 12,000 jobs and the creation of a further 436 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 these information sessions in large numbers. They were 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 these information sessions, Government of Canada advisors will provide details on the CANtex program and answer questions. Following these briefings, 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 meetings is as follows: Monday, November 29, 2004 at 8:30 amLe Negondo373 Cameron, Sainte-Marie de BeauceTuesday, November 30, 2004 at 8:30 amBest Western915 Hains, Drummondville Thursday, December 2, 2004 at 8:30 amLe Cartier255 Jacques-Cartier South, Sherbrooke Friday, December 3, 2004 at 8:30 amChâteau Bromont Hotel90 Stanstead, Bromont Thursday, December 9, 2004 at 9:30 amSheraton Four Points Hotel6600 Côte-de-Liesse, Montreal 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: Nadja RaphaëlCommunications BranchCanada Economic Development(514) 496-1997Daniel DezaindePress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques Saada(514) 496-1282
