William D. Casey, M.P.

Cumberland Colchester

712 Confederation Building

House of Commons

Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A6

House of Commons

Chambre des communes

Canada

Press Release

Ottawa Tel: (613) 992-3366

Ottawa Fax: (613) 992-7220

Amherst Tel: (902) 667-8679

Truro Tel: (902) 893-2455

Casey questions Government about Textile Transitional Assistance

November 28, 2002

Ottawa - Bill Casey, Progressive Conservative Critic for International Trade questioned the Minister today regarding what steps have been taken to facilitate transitional assistance for the textile industry.

In January 2003, both tariffs averaging 19%, as well as quotas will be removed on almost all goods imported from 48 countries, and 10,000 Canadian apparel industry jobs will be put at risk.  Further, according to the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, all apparel import quotas will disappear in 2005.   The sub-committee for International Trade recommended the Government develop a transitional assistance program for the industry.

Casey says, “Companies, like Stanfield’s Limited in Truro, Nova Scotia will need assistance in overcoming the potential flooding of new competitors, in order to ensure that they remain competitive.”

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For further information:

Bill Casey, M.P.

Progressive Conservative Critic

Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 992-3366