The Canadian apparel market was valued at $10 382 million in 2005, representing an insignificant decline of 0.6 percent from the previous year. The year-to-year decline was borne totally by reduced domestic shipments. They fell to $3 386.2 million in 2005, a year-to-year decline of 12.6 percent. Imports continued their relentless increase, rising 6.5 percent to $6  995.8 million in the one-year period.

With few exceptions, domestic shipments of apparel have been in decline historically and continue so to date. For example, domestic shipments of apparel declined 7.9 percent in 2001-2002, 5.7 percent in 2003-2004 and, as noted earlier, 12.6 percent in 2004-2005. Overall, they were 21.9 percent lower in 2005 than five years ago, and 35 percent lower than ten years ago.

Imports, in contrast, have been exhibiting year-to-year increases since 1997, ranging from a peak of 20.4 percent in 1996-1997 to a low of 0.9 percent in 2002-2003. As noted earlier, they were some 6.5 percent higher in 2005 than a year ago. Overall, they were 31.7 percent higher in 2005 than five years ago, and a massive 94.9 percent higher than ten years ago.

The Canadian apparel industry’s investments in machinery and equipment and its labour skills upgrading reflect the industry’s drive to sustained international competitiveness. In 2005, it is estimated that the apparel industry allocated some $100.3 million for new machinery, equipment and buildings, with about 72 percent taking place in cut and sew apparel manufacturing.