Mr. Lifson has provided a partial response to your question.
I found the first part of your question rather interesting. When Mr. Lifson indicated to you that the federation had 700 members, you asked if this number had declined. You then went on to talk about a company in the Beauce region.
I can name several companies in the Beauce that have ceased operations: Cardinal Clothes inc; Corporation de vêtements S.F.I.; Jeno Neuman et Fils Inc,; J.A. Besner et Fils (Canada) ltée; and Les Vêtements Chambly 1982 Inc. These are a few of the names that come to mind. I've been the union director for two years and I have a long list -- two full pages -- of names of businesses that have closed their doors, not counting those that have had to cutback their workforce. Many companies like Algo remain in business with perhaps one worker on the payroll, when in the past they had a workforce of over 100 employees.
We need to remember that the apparel industry in Canada is completely different. On the one hand, we have clothing manufacturers and on the other, we have the importers. Some companies, of course, are both manufacturers and importers. However, companies that import clothing are not a true reflection of the reality that Canadian manufacturers face. Many such Canadian manufacturers are at their wit's end. They don't know whether to shut down, to stay in business or to operate at a deficit.
One Beauce company is still in operation solely because of a union-supplied contract. Without the union, the company would not have a contract. The owner claims that this contract is beneficial. This is another example of a band-aid measure, such as safeguards. Such measures won't save this company. At the time the union helped the company secure this contract, the company broke into US markets and it is now trying to expand its client base. The owner is buying time, much like safeguards would help companies on the brink of closing to buy more time.
Although they may not pose a threat to Vêtements Peerless Inc., imports from China do pose a major threat to many other local manufacturers.
I should mention that Teamsters Canada represents Peerless employees, and not Vêtements Peerless Inc. workers.