NEWS RELEASES
MINISTER PETTIGREW EXTENDS CONGRATULATIONS TO RECIPIENTS OF CANADA EXPORT AWARDS
October 4, 2000 (1:10 p.m. EDT) No. 249
MINISTER PETTIGREW EXTENDS CONGRATULATIONS
TO RECIPIENTS OF CANADA EXPORT AWARDS
International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew extends his congratulations to the ten
recipients of the Canada Export Awards. The companies received their award at a
ceremony organized by the Manufacturers and Exporters of Canada.
The prestigious Exporter of the Year Award was presented to SMART Technologies of
Calgary, Alberta.
SMART Technologies has created an innovative and interactive multimedia technology
that brings boardrooms to life, enabling companies to operate more effectively. SMART
Technologies operates in over 47 countries, with 96 percent of its sales derived from
export -- a 326 percent increase since its inception.
The Canada Export Awards were also given to nine other companies. These companies
are, from east to west:
- Survival Systems Limited of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia;
- Groupe ADF Inc. of Terrebonne, Quebec;
- Thorburn Equipment Inc. of Pointe-Claire, Quebec;
- Med-Eng Systems Inc. of Ottawa, Ontario;
- International Datacasting Corporation of Ottawa, Ontario;
- Wescam Inc. of Flamborough, Ontario;
- Nienkämper Furniture & Accessories Inc. of Scarborough, Ontario;
- Silent Witness Enterprises of Surrey, British Columbia;
- Pearl Seaproducts Inc. of Sechelt, British Columbia.
Special awards were presented to four of the honoured companies. Survival Systems
received the Small Exporter Achievement Award; Groupe ADF, the Job Creation
Achievement Award; International Datacasting Corporation, the Innovation and
Technology Achievement Award; and Med-Eng Systems Inc., the Lifetime Achievement
Award.
"The face of Canadian trade is evolving with technology and knowledge-based
companies playing a greater role, as we can see by many of this year's award
recipients," said Minister Pettigrew. "Canadian companies have carved out a place in
foreign markets and are now a symbol of Canada's excellence around the world."
The sponsors of the 2000 Canada Export Awards are the Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Agency, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Rogers Media Inc. and the Export
Development Corporation. "We appreciate and value the support that these sponsors
lend to the awards," said the Minister. "Together we are showcasing Canada's exporting
excellence. With their involvement, we are able to celebrate remarkable
accomplishments of these innovative and dynamic Canadian companies."
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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
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