NEWS RELEASES
PETTIGREW ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR 2000 CANADA EXPORT AWARDS
July 4, 2000 (11:15 a.m. EDT) No. 172
PETTIGREW ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR
2000 CANADA EXPORT AWARDS
International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced the 25 finalists competing for the top honours in
Canadian exporting, the prestigious Canada Export Awards. Up to ten winners, one of which will also be named
Exporter of the Year, will receive their awards at a gala ceremony in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 2, 2000.
"With exports playing an increasingly significant role in the Canadian economy, it is important to recognize the
businesses that are leading the way in international trade," said Mr. Pettigrew. "These companies, and others
like them, are bringing their success in the global market back home to regions and communities across
Canada, and strengthening local economies with new jobs and business opportunities."
Since 1983, the Canada Export Awards have recognized more than 200 companies for successfully expanding
their businesses beyond Canada's borders. Today, more than 43 percent of Canada's gross domestic product
can be attributed to trade, with technology and knowledge-based companies playing a key role. "The finalists
represent the new face of trade in Canada," said Minister Pettigrew. "They are part of the new economy,
offering products and services that reflect true innovation."
Together, the finalist companies generated more than $903 million in exports and sustained 6149 jobs in 1999.
Fifty-two percent of the finalist companies are succeeding in knowledge-based industries -- from
telecommunications and software, to education and health care. Manufacturers, including defence,
construction, furniture and clothing companies, make up 32 percent of the finalists. Sixteen percent of the
finalists are resource-based companies, specializing in everything from hardwood products and processing, to
aquaculture products for fine dining establishments.
With $412 billion in exports of goods and services in 1999, Canada is one of the world's leading trading nations
and the most export-oriented of the G-7 industrialized economies. In fact, one in three jobs in Canada can be
tied to trade. This remarkable achievement is due, in part, to the more than 3500 businesses that have
competed for a Canada Export Award. Finalists are judged according to several criteria, including their ability to
compete globally, their spirit of innovation, their appetite for risk and their commitment to excellence.
This year, the Canada Export Awards will be presented at the 5th Annual Convention of the Alliance of
Manufacturers & Exporters Canada in Halifax. The Alliance is Canada's leading business network. Its
membership represents 75 percent of all manufactured output and 90 percent of all merchandise exports.
The finalists for the 2000 Canada Export Awards from east to west are:
NOVA SCOTIA
Survival Systems Limited, Dartmouth
NEW BRUNSWICK
Groupe Savoie Inc., Saint-Quentin
Spielo Gaming International, Dieppe
QUEBEC
DUO VAC INC., Laval
Éditions L'artichaut, Rimouski
GEBO Industries (Canada) Inc., Laval
Gildan Activewear Inc., Ville Saint-Laurent
GROUPE ADF INC., Terrebonne
Les Entreprises David Lauzon Ltée, Papineauville
Thorburn Equipement Inc., Pointe-Claire
TMH Aircraft Maintenance Tools & Equipment Inc., Boisbriand
TRANS-HERB e inc., Longueuil
ONTARIO
ADWEL International Ltd., Scarborough
Innova Technologies Corporation, Toronto
International Datacasting, Ottawa
Kindred Industries, Midland
Med-Eng Systems Inc., Ottawa
MINE Radio Systems Inc., Stouffville
Nienkamper Furniture & Accessories Inc., Scarborough
Wescam Inc., Flamborough
ALBERTA
BW Technologies Ltd., Calgary
Neles Automation, Calgary
SMART Technologies Inc., Calgary
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Pearl Seaproducts Inc., Sechelt
Silent Witness Enterprises, Surrey
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sylvie Bussières
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Pam Aung Thin
Hill and Knowlton
(613) 786-9939
| 
