July 30, 2001 (12:05 p.m. EDT) No. 114

PETTIGREW CONGRATULATES

CANADA EXPORT AWARDS FINALISTS

International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced the names of the finalists of the 2001 Canada Export Awards. Up to ten winners will be honoured at a gala ceremony in Montreal, on September 24, 2001. One of these winners will also receive the prestigious Exporter of the Year Award.

"Canadians exported a record $474 billion in 2000, a 15 percent increase over 1999," said Minister Pettigrew. "The 2001 finalists played an active role in this growth, generating more than $2 billion in export sales. They also sustained more than 12 500 jobs across the country."

Since 1983, more than 200 firms have been recognized for their success in Canada and in foreign markets. "Previous award-winning companies have come from a variety of industries, clearly indicating the diversity of Canada's economy," said Minister Pettigrew. "This year's finalists are certainly continuing this tradition, having distinguished themselves in the knowledge-technology, food, manufacturing and service industries."

Minister Pettigrew also acknowledged the involvement of sponsors in the 2001 Canada Export Awards. "The sponsors' commitment enables us to celebrate the achievements of our exporters and to further encourage Canadian firms to expand their activities on export markets," said Mr. Pettigrew.

The following sponsors will join the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in celebrating the success of Canadian firms: Export Development Corporation (EDC), Pratt & Whitney, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Sun Life Financial, the National Post, and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.

This year, the Canada Export Awards will be presented at the Annual Convention of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, which will take place from September 23 to 25, 2001, in Montreal.

For further information on the 2001 Canada Export Awards, please visit the following Web site: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/awards-prix.

- 30 -

The list of finalists is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Mora Johnson

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

(For finalists located in Quebec)

Michèle LaForest

The Columbia Communications Group Inc.

(514) 987-1707

(For finalists located outside Quebec)

David Gollob

Thornley Fallis Communications

(613) 231-3355, poste 229

LIST OF FINALISTS FOR THE 2001 CANADA EXPORT AWARDS

(FROM EAST TO WEST)

NEWFOUNDLAND

Grand Atlantic Seafoods, St. John's - www.grandatlanticseafoods.com

NOVA-SCOTIA

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, Windsor - www.mermaidtheatre.ns.ca

The Shaw Group Limited, Halifax - www.shawgroupltd.com

NEW BRUNSWICK

Spielo Gaming International, Dieppe - www.spielo.ca

QUEBEC

Accessair Systems Inc., Ste. Catherine - www.accessairsystems.com

Fieldturf Inc., Montreal - www.fieldturf.com

Groupe ADF Inc., Terrebonne - www.adfgroup.com

LAUZON, Distinctive Hardwood Flooring, Papineauville - www.lauzonltd.com

R/D Tech inc., Quebec City - www.rd-tech.com

Thorburn Equipment Inc., Pointe-Claire - www.thorburnflex.com

VisuAide inc., Longueuil - www.visuaide.com

ONTARIO

Entrust Technologies Inc., Ottawa - www.entrust.com

Lakefield Research Limited, Lakefield - www.lakefield.com

Normerica Inc., Toronto - www.normericainc.com

Northern Digital Inc., Waterloo - www.ndigital.com

Open Text Corporation, Waterloo - www.opentext.com

Teknion Corporation, Toronto - www.teknion.com/home.asp

The Pressure Pipe Inspection Company Ltd., Mississauga - www.ppic.on.ca

Wescam, Burlington - www.wescam.com

SASKATCHEWAN

Kitsaki Meats Limited Partnership, La Ronge - www.kitsaki.com/kit.html

ALBERTA

Alterna Technologies Group Inc., Calgary - www.alterna.com

Global Thermoelectric Inc., Calgary - www.globalte.com

Matrikon Inc., Edmonton - www.matrikon.com

SMART Technologies Inc., Calgary - www.smarttech.com

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Fincentric Corporation, Richmond - www.fincentric.com