The second photo details counterfeit CSA Group certification marks that have been found on thousands of medicine vials that were being passed off as child resistant with no testing whatsoever.
The third photo details hundreds of industrial welders bearing counterfeit CSA certification marks. They were built using substandard materials and exhibiting compromised electrical spacing, both of which are potential shock and fire hazards.
The fourth picture indicates thousands of Christmas lights that were removed from the shelves of a national retailer. This product was imported with counterfeit components as well as counterfeit CSA Group certification labels that could have resulted in endangerment to the public.
The fifth picture is counterfeit CSA Group certification marks that were found on electric fireplaces at a medium-sized retailer in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and in Ontario. The fireplaces were not manufactured to the appropriate standards, failed testing in our laboratories, and put Canadian consumers at risk.
The sixth picture shows safety footwear bearing counterfeit certification marks that have been found to offer substandard toe protection. These shoes were also deficient in dielectric protection, creating a potential shock hazard.
I have come to the end of the photographs.
Some statistics on counterfeiting: in 2012, CSA Group investigated 214 incidents of CSA Group's intellectual property being infringed.
In 2012, U.S. border protection services seized approximately $156 million worth of counterfeit product. Electrical equipment alone accounted for over $23 million worth and CSA Group was notified that electrical equipment from those seizures did bear counterfeit CSA certification marks. These numbers are based on statistics from the United States Department of Homeland Security.
In 2011, U.S. border protection services seized approximately $10 million worth of consumer electronic products bearing counterfeit CSA Group certification marks in merely a three-month period.
CSA has been contacted by the Canada Border Services Agency for suspected counterfeit CSA marks on only one occasion in the past four years.
The government can play a role in improving the system to combat counterfeiting. As I have explained, the proliferation of products bearing counterfeit CSA certification marks can enable unsafe or otherwise deficient products to gain widespread access to the Canadian market. This reality places the public at direct risk of exposure to unsafe products that may result in serious injury or death.
I thank you for your attention today.