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Canadian factory group meets with govt. agencies

By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, April 14, 2002

OTTAWA — The Canadian Council of Furniture Manufacturers met here to discuss a broad range of industry issues with officials from Health Canada and Industry Canada.

A priority project this year will be a benchmarking study that allows factories to compare practices and performance against industry norms, said Terry Clark, CCFM president. The last study was published in 1997 using 1994 data. CCFM will select a consultant to undertake the new study.

Clark, also chairman of Furniture West, said the council typically meets during the Toronto January market and holds several telephone conferences each year, but these are mainly devoted to administering Canada's UFAC program.

"This was the first meeting we've had in several years where all of the stakeholders came together in Ottawa for both formal and informal meetings with the government agencies with which we work on a regular basis," he said.

The CCFM is comprised of the country's three regional factory groups — Furniture West, the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn. and the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Assn.

"We need a stronger national presence," Clark said, adding the federal government increasingly sees Canada's economy as knowledge-based, which could leave out the furniture industry. "It's easy to get overlooked … in Ottawa," he said. "We have to stay visible and focused with the folks at Industry Canada."

Clark said the council plans to meet again this summer.

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