WHY CTI?

The Canadian Textiles Institute (CTI) is the association representing Canadian textile manufacturers. Members include producers of yarns; fabric producers; dyers and finishers; producers of textiles for a wide range of industrial and consumer uses; suppliers and financial institutions serving the textile industry; textile manufacturers in NAFTA countries; and affiliates.

Its role is to proactively support a healthy, competitive textile industry that creates employment for Canadians and value for Canada.

What does that mean? Why does CTI exist and why do its members belong?

The textile industry is a substantial player in Canada's economy. It employs almost 50,000 Canadians; shipped $6.1 billion worth of goods in 2005; and exports approximately half of what it makes. It, like other major industries, needs an experienced, knowledgeable and influential voice with a solid reputation to credibly represent its interests before government and with other groups. CTI has a long history of being that voice and is recognized as such by all stakeholders.

The environment in which the textile industry functions is increasingly complex and constantly changing. The issues are broad in scope and involve almost every aspect of the industry's day-to-day operating climate. Some are ongoing, such as trade, government procurement, energy management, environment, health and safety, innovation, competitiveness, and export development. Others arise and have to be addressed within specified deadlines. Thanks to its expertise, network and contacts, CTI provides its members with an early warning system on all of these; a clear,  concise summary of the relevant facts and figures; an analysis and assessment of the likely or possible repercussions; and the means to actively influence what happens. Prompt intervention on any given issue can mean the difference between a positive and a negative outcome. For those trying to run their businesses with limited or strained resources, this is a value-added service that allows them to stay up-to-date and be involved on a very cost-effective basis and to identify both prospective opportunities for and possible dangers to their companies. 

CTI is the vehicle through which the industry's views, concerns and positions are formulated and communicated to the powers-that-be. Although individual companies can make representations directly, there is no substitute for collective action, and CTI provides the mechanism for the industry to be seen and heard as a strong, unified entity. It has been involved in every significant government initiative and decision affecting the textile industry since its inception in 1935. Despite a common misconception, CTI's relationship with government is not adversarial. On the contrary, it has developed and maintains positive working partnerships with several government departments including the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canada Revenue Agency (previously Revenue Canada), Environment Canada, Industry Canada, the Department of National Defence, Natural Resources Canada, and Public Works and Government Services Canada. It interacts on a regular basis with the Departments of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Finance Canada as well as other government departments and agencies. It has working relationships with provincial governments, including Québec an d Ontario. In addition to its involvement with officials at all levels, CTI is also building a solid network of contacts with Members of Parliament with textile facilities in their ridings and/or with responsibility for portfolios affecting the industry.

CTI has changed over the years in step with the industry's priorities and the evolving environment. Its activities are governed by a Board of Directors comprised of industry leaders representative of and knowledgeable about the textile manufacturing industry and its concerns. The association's governance structure encourages and enables discussion and debate so that the direction and positions taken by the association reflect the industry's objectives and needs. And, while the focus is on areas of activity that benefit from collective action, CTI also offers its members one-on-one assistance with problems they are encountering and in navigating the maze of government regulation.