Good morning, and thank you for having us here. I am Lina Aristeo. I am the director of UNITE HERE in Quebec. UNITE HERE is a union that represents traditionally apparel and textile workers not only across Canada but across North America. Since our merger with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees union, we also represent employees in the service sector, but I am really here to talk to you about the concerns that we have regarding the apparel industry and the loss of jobs in the apparel industry.
I believe Wynne Hartviksen came to see you last week, so I will try not to say the same things as she did. However, I did have just a brief period of time to read her notes.
I am also international vice-president of UNITE HERE and the vice-president of the Quebec Federation of Labour. I have brought with me here today--and I think it is worth noting, although they are only observers and I will dedicate part of my time to their presentation--some important people: Claudio Corsetti has worked for Peter Stone Fashion and has worked in the apparel industry for 28 years. He came from Italy, and this is the only job he's ever known. Marie-Sylvina Jean has worked in the apparel industry for 21 years, and this is the only job she has ever known since she came from Haiti. Francesca Uccello has worked in the apparel industry for 11 years. After taking care of her children, this is the only job she's ever known. Solange Jean-Pierre has worked in the apparel industry for 27 years since coming from Haiti in 1978. Chantal Corriveau has worked in the apparel industry for 28 years. And Eric Lavoie has worked in the apparel industry for 23 years.
I am taking some of my eight minutes to present these people to you because Wynne has made the case for having safeguards, and it's clear that I would also like to see that happen.
The motion brought by Mr. Julian passed with regard to limiting the increase of Chinese imports. But sometimes, and far too often, we forget to think about what these black words on white paper mean. What they mean is that these people here, all the people I've presented to you, were advised about two or three weeks ago that their shop is going to close in March.
Since we began this campaign in April 2005, nothing has happened except that people like these have lost their jobs. I would like the Canadian government to do something, and what they can do is to put safeguards in place.
I'm also accompanied by Amarkai Laryea and Luis Millard, who work for UNITE HERE and who have been supporting this campaign throughout its length.
So what have we done since 2005? Since 2005 this problem has gotten bigger. More jobs have been lost. There hasn't been an end to the loss of jobs. The job losses have been increasing dramatically since 2002. In fact, since 2002, in the apparel industry there have been 50,000 jobs lost in Canada, about 25,000 of which have been in Quebec.
Why do I specify Quebec? Because this is really a Quebec issue. Although it is a federal issue and we are presenting this to the federal government, the majority of the jobs in the apparel industry are located in one province, essentially in one city, Montreal. Montreal is the second most important manufacturing centre for apparel in North America. It's a place of distinction, and I think we should save what we can of the apparel industry.
I think when we talk about T-shirts being made in other countries, or socks, or underwear, all these things can be done to a great extent in Canada, but I think we've reached a certain point where we need to figure out what our apparel industry is going to be. What are our niche markets going to be? Montreal still makes some of the best suits in the world. I think that's one of the industries that we should put as much effort into protecting and safeguarding as we can. Limiting the growth of Chinese imports is one step in the right direction.
Last week's announcement by the government of $4.5 million to cut tariffs on imported textiles is a step in the right direction, but in my opinion, it's a drop in the bucket. The first question I asked our researcher was whether this is per company or for the entire industry, because $4.5 million will not save these jobs, even the eight jobs in this room, let alone the over 30,000 in the country.
We've met with several different ministers, especially those from Quebec, in particular Minister Bernier. We have members in Beauce who make jeans--there are very few places that still make jeans in Canada--have met and talked with Minister Bernier, who has been receptive, but who hasn't taken any action to date.
We have begun to educate our members as to what's been going on. On October 20, we had a rally where 2,500 members walked off their jobs, and when you make $8 an hour, losing four hours of pay is a big deal.
Mr. Julian was there. Mr. Cardin's party had sent representatives. As well, the Bloc and the NDP were there to support us in this. What's important is that there weren't just 2,500 workers saying, “Someone has to stand up for us, because we're doing what we can, but someone has to bring it back. We can throw the ball. The ball has to be thrown back as well.” What's important is that we had employers marching there with the union.
These aren't times anymore where we get to sit at a negotiation table and claim for these huge raises or fight against the boss. Now more than ever, unions and companies need to work together so this industry can survive. So that's just one example of how the employers of the places where we represent members are in support of this campaign. Although many large companies will have the funds and the budget to do this—can come and lobby, can come and talk—most of the people are taking all their time to just figure out how they can get their company to survive, to find a new product, to find new markets.
When, for instance, we ask Samuelsohn to come and speak here today, and I would have very much liked them to come, and we were trying.... They don't have time to come to Ottawa; they really don't, because for them it's a daily struggle. It is a daily struggle. They support this campaign nonetheless, and they wish to see safeguards implemented as much as I do, but for them, between getting their order out today and coming to see you, unfortunately, you come second. That's just the state of the industry.
When I sometimes speak as if I'm exasperated, it's because the industry is exasperated. When I say “the industry”, aside from just the employers I speak with, I mean it's the workers. They don't know what to do anymore. Again, they're losing another full day of pay so they can come here, just so that at least someone can see their faces. In March they're all going to lose their jobs, and what are they going to do? Don't tell them you want to recycle them. I've done the survey: with one exception, these people are all over 50 years old. Although they have great talents and great skills, I just don't see them working at a call centre for Sears, if that call centre still is in Canada.
This is important to us, and the safeguards are a measure that is at our disposal. According to the agreements in the World Trade Organization, a country that feels its economy has been perturbed—and I'm not taking the exact words—can put in place safeguard measures, can limit the increase of apparel imports into our market.
The United States has done this; the European Union has done this. They have negotiated with China. South American countries have; South Africa has done it. The question we ask you is this. Why is Canada not doing anything? There is no justifiable reason not to put in place a measure, which all our competitors have put in place, that is at our disposal.
I'm not going to take any more time, but I will answer questions if you have any.
Thank you.