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Government of Canada Helps Canadian Companies Compete Globally to Create Jobs and Prosperity at Home
International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan announces funding for 30 Canadian business associations
(No. 260 - August 17, 2010 - 4:40 p.m. ET) The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade, today announced that 30 Canadian associations will receive $2.3 million to help the businesses and industries they represent compete globally. The funding is part of the Government of Canada’s 2010-11 Global Opportunities for Associations program.
“Business associations play a key role in helping Canadian businesses compete in the global economy,” said Minister Van Loan. “Our government’s support will help Canadian business associations attract foreign direct investment, encourage innovation and create opportunities for Canadian businesses to market their products and services to the world.
“The Global Opportunities for Associations program is just one way we are helping Canadian businesses compete in the global marketplace.”
Minister Van Loan made the announcement during a keynote speech to the Vancouver Board of Trade.
“Through our aggressive free trade agenda, our government is creating new opportunities for businesses in markets around the world,” said Minister Van Loan. “In less than four years, our government has concluded free trade negotiations with Colombia, Jordan, Panama, Peru and the European Free Trade Association. We are also moving forward on trade negotiations with India and the European Union.”
The recipients of funding through Global Opportunities for Associations represent a wide range of Canadian economic sectors. They include automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, life sciences, clean technology, information and communications technologies, and defence. This Government of Canada program matches up to 50 percent of the recipient’s eligible expenses for activities such as trade shows, trade missions, the development of marketing tools and research.
“Whenever the Canadian private sector succeeds globally, it translates into jobs and prosperity at home,” added Minister Van Loan. “Our partnerships with business associations and community organizations that are encouraging trade and foreign investment are steps our government is taking to ensure that Canada emerges from the economic downturn stronger, and in better fiscal shape, than nearly every other industrialized country.”
Eligible associations may apply for funding once a year. Each application is subject to a review process that involves detailed evaluation. Successful applicants receive non-repayable contributions of up to $150,000. For more information, please consult Global Opportunities for Associations.
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A backgrounder follows.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Monika Bujalska
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Peter Van Loan
Minister of International Trade
613-992-9304
Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
Backgrounder - Global Opportunities for Associations Contributions by Sector, 2010-2011
The Global Opportunities for Associations program allows Canadian companies to undertake new or expanded activities to help them compete globally.
The following sectors were awarded funds by Global Opportunities for Associations:
- Aerospace: Aerospace Industries Association of Canada ($30,945); Air Transport Association of Canada ($50,000)
- Defence and Security: Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries ($139,000)
- Arts and Cultural: Canadian Association for the Advancement of Music and the Arts ($61,275); Canadian Independent Music Association ($86,764); Canadian Film and Television Production Association ($31,575)
- Advanced Automotive Manufacturing: Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association ($81,996); Automotive Recyclers of Canada ($59,495); North American Automobile Trade Association ($26,497); Canadian Association of Mouldmakers ($14,525); Association des manufacturiers d’équipements de transports ($120,205)
- Life Sciences: BIOTECanada ($83,369); MEDEC (Canada’s Medical Device Technology Companies) ($123,341)
- Consumer Products: Canadian Apparel Federation ($125,921); Canadian Gift & Tableware Association ($84,517); the Fur Council of Canada ($139,000); le Groupe CTT ($126,834)
- Services: Association of Canadian Community Colleges ($49,078); Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada ($51,935); Languages Canada ($92,606)
- Clean Technology: Canadian Bioenergy Association ($60,591); Canadian Solar Industries Association ($44,021); Export Environnement ($135,435)
- Infrastructure: Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario ($97,460); Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada ($91,885); Royal Architectural Institute of Canada ($24,662)
- Information and Communication Technologies: Canadian Photonics Consortium ($54,490); Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATAAlliance) ($140,365)
- Ocean Technologies: the Ocean Renewable Energy Group ($30,328)
- Venture Capital Services: Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association ($61,067)
