The Canadian telecommunication equipment industry is one of the shining stars in Canada's high technology galaxy. It accounts for 21 per cent of business enterprise research and development undertaken in Canada and is a major employer of university scientific technology graduates. It is a major earner of export revenues. Typically, the small to medium sized enterprises in this business export 90 per cent of their products.
World wide, the industry is dominated by a small number of very large corporations that were established on the basis of serving national or regional markets. With the fundamental changes that are taking place in the provision of communications services world wide, the equipment industry is undergoing massive changes of globalization and restructuring. Canada is fortunate that one of these developing global players is based in Canada and maintains its headquarters and large portions of its research and development and manufacturing here. A consequence of these benefits is constant restructuring.
I am certainly sympathetic with the plight of the workers being displaced by Northern Telecom's decision to transfer manufacturing out of its Bramalea facility and convert it into the corporate world headquarters. I know the important role these workers played in building the product that was responsible in large part for the modernization of the Canadian telecom infrastructure and for taking Canada's reputation as a source of quality advanced telecom equipment around the world. I wish them the best as they adjust to their new circumstances. I am pleased that much of the work done in Bramalea is staying in Canada and that job growth is continuing in other areas of the industry.
Sustained success in this business for Northern Telecom and for other firms that comprise the Canadian telecom equipment industry is through access to foreign markets. It is important that we in Canada provide a competitive environment from which to supply the world market.