Posts

September 17th, 2024

  Together with the support of the Portuguese trade commission, the Canadian Apparel Federation is planning a trade mission to Portugal during the week of December 9th, highlighting opportunities for Canadian apparel companies to secure both production partners in that country.  Many Canadian apparel firms currently produce in Portugal. The benefits of manufacturing in that country are: High quality production,  A strong local infrastructure including textiles and trim, Relatively low labour costs,  A high level of knowledge and expertise in …

September 16th, 2024

    The Canadian government is considering a change to its duty drawback policies to allow companies to donate surplus merchandise to charitable organizations within Canada and receive a refund on any duties paid on imported goods. This proposed change aims to reduce waste and provide much-needed support to Canadians in need. Currently, surplus goods may qualify for duty refunds if the merchandise is either exported or destroyed.  The rules are contained in CBSA D-Memo D7-2-3.  The rules in place …

August 22nd, 2024

We are excited to announce that CAF will launch a brand-new website in September. This upgrade is a key part of our ongoing efforts to enhance membership management and communication. Over the past year, we have been working diligently to update our website, along with our membership application and renewal processes. These changes will streamline administrative tasks and allow us to deliver important information to our members more efficiently. One of the major enhancements will be the introduction of working …

August 7th, 2024

The 2024 SPESA Executive Conference — making its Canadian debut this year in Montréal, QC  will bring together suppliers, manufacturers, brands, retailers, and other apparel industry stakeholders to network and discuss some of the most important issues impacting the industry in the Western Hemisphere, including:  advanced textile technology, revolutionary sustainability initiatives, AI in supply chains, Canadian manufacturing, and the next generation of the industry. This three-day event features a day of educational sessions, a day of factory tours, and multiple …

Posted by Bob Kirke July 29th, 2024

MONTREAL & OTTAWA, July 24, 2024 - CS PAIEMENT (www.cspaiement.com), a certified Clover distributor, is pleased to announce a partnership with the CANADIAN APPAREL FEDERATION (CAF) (www.apparel.ca). This partnership aims to provide advantageous rates on payment solutions as well as personalized customer service to CAF members. The CAF, a key player in the apparel industry, represents a broad network of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers across Canada. Through this association, CAF members will benefit from an exclusive discount program on CS …

Posted by Bob Kirke July 22nd, 2024

The Canadian government recently introduced changes to the Competition Act which will have a substantial impact on sustainability claims made by Canadian companies. These changes will force many companies to revisit how they promote their products in terms of sustainability in light of the substantial penalties that can be levied by the Competition Bureau.  tc) to bring complaints to the Competition Bureau on these issues. On July 22, 2024, the Competition Bureau launched a public consultation to seek comments from the …

Posted by Bob Kirke July 15th, 2024

On July 27, 2024 the Canadian government launched a data collection effort on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) substances and products containing that class of chemicals PFAS substances are found in many industrial and consumer products, including textiles/apparel. In apparel products, these substances are found in water-repellent and stain-repellent finishes, among other uses.  Historically, the largest user of the substances has been outerwear with durable water-repellent finishes.  However, as the background document from AFIRM (below) demonstrates:  PFAS are found in …

Posted by Bob Kirke July 12th, 2024

The Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) has selected a new supplier of payroll services for our members.  Wagepoint is a small-but-mighty fintech company on a mission to simplify payroll. Their online software was created just for small businesses, automating the most “ugh” parts of payroll – like calculating wages and reporting on taxes – so that companies can get back to doing, well, literally anything else. Backed by the world’s friendliest team, Wagepoint is always supportive, never stuffy and refreshingly human. …

Posted by Bob Kirke July 12th, 2024

The Gateway to Europe program is a full-service solution designed to support Canadian companies looking to expand their market presence in Europe. Tailored specifically for small to medium-sized apparel companies, this initiative aims to streamline the complexities of entering the European market, providing a comprehensive suite of services to ensure seamless business operations.   A successful start   In June 2024, we successfully hosted a webinar in collaboration with the Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF), introducing the Gateway to Europe program to Canadian …

Posted by Bob Kirke July 9th, 2024

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has launched a significant consultation process to review a proposed roadmap for addressing plastic waste and pollution from the textile and apparel sector.  Companies should note that synthetic fibres are considered plastic, and are the focus of this discussion. The consultation was launched on July 4, 2024 and ECCC will host a webinar on the subject July 15, 2024. As a department ECCC has an ambitious goal of zero plastic waste – where plastics (including …