You will understand the difference between the textile and clothing (apparel) industry You will interpret how it has changed over time You will determine the reasons for the changes observed You see how the change in market has impacted production and employment in the textile and clothing industries You will understand the difference between the textile and clothing (apparel) industry You will interpret how it has changed over time You will determine the reasons for the changes observed You see how the change in market has impacted production and employment in the textile and clothing industries

1. Stretching or Shrinking?
Textile Clothing Industry in Canada

2. By the end of these slides...
● You will understand the difference between the textile
and clothing (apparel) industry
● You will interpret how it has changed over time
● You will determine the reasons for the changes observed
● You see how the change in market has impacted
production and employment in the textile and clothing
industries

3. History of Textile Clothing in Canada
● Just over 20 years ago, about 70% of the textile and clothing
products consumed in Canada were made in Canada.
● In 1992, imported textiles represented 43% of the Canadian
market, while imported clothing represented 35%
Look at the next two graphs and answer the questions.

4. 1. At what year do Canadians start
to steadily buy clothing that is
imported from other countries?
2. At what year do Canadians buy
more clothing imported from
outside of Canada (vs. made in
Canada)?

5. 1. What is happening to
tariffs in this graph? (duty
rates and taxes on imported
goods)
2. At what year do tariffs on
U.S. clothing and textiles
begin to level off?
3. Close to what percentage
do they level off? What does
this mean?

6. How are these two graphs connected?
Why do you think the government lowered taxes on U.S.
goods coming into Canada during this time?

7. You saw in 1998, most
Canadians bought clothing
that was produced outside
of Canada.
1. Why do you think
employment in the clothing
industry still increased after
1998 if there was less demand
for Canadian-made clothing in
Canada?
2. Why do you think
employment in clothing
dropped significantly whereas
textiles remained stable from
2002 onwards?

8. In more recent years, notice the apparel (clothing) manufacturing industry has decreased steadily
impacting employment in the sector and reducing its contribution to Canada’s GDP.

9. Why have companies shifted to producing
clothes in the Global South?
Turn to the person beside you and discuss possible reasons.
Share responses with the class.

10. Production has shifted to the
Global South because it’s cheaper when...
* You can pay workers far less than minimum wage
* You don’t have to pay benefits, sick leave nor
maternity leave
* You don’t have to spend money maintaining the
site, leading to unsafe working conditions (e.g.
factory fires, building collapses, poor ventilation)
* You can demand employees work overtime hours
to meet the high demand without getting extra pay

11. Production has shifted to the
Global South because it’s cheaper when...
* You can dump the toxic chemicals used in
manufacturing the clothes into the surrounding area
(rather than pay higher costs for proper disposal)
* You can essentially fire anyone who complains
(this leads to managers harassing or abusing workers
physically, verbally, sexually, etc.)