CAPPEM Statement

CAPPEM SUPPORTS FEDERAL PARTY PLANS FOR STRENGTHENING INNOVATIVE AND DOMESTIC PPE

The Canadian Association of Personal Protective Equipment Manufacturers (CAPPEM) supports plans by Canada’s federal parties to strengthen the domestic personal protective equipment (PPE) supply chain and its manufacturers in Canada.

“We are pleased to see the Conservative Party of Canada take note of the importance of the PPE industry in Canada and the role it plays in the well-being and health security of Canadians,” said Barry Hunt, President of CAPPEM. “Today’s announcement by Erin O’Toole, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is a vote of confidence for those Canadian manufacturers that answered the government call to produce PPE in the early days of the pandemic. We are hopeful that other federal parties will promote Canadian PPE manufacturers, as well.

Today’s announcement highlighted several policies that are important to the Canadian PPE industry including support for domestic manufacturing of PPE, support for the creation of new and innovative PPE, and a call to reinstate the pre-pandemic tariff to protect against dumping by foreign manufacturers.

Members of CAPPEM support these policies and will continue to work with, and make themselves available to, all federal parties in order to advance this critical issue. 

About CAPPEM:

CAPPEM was created to ensure that Canada would never again be vulnerable to a shortage of PPE during a time of pandemic or otherwise. It has established a robust and secure domestic supply chain that aims to supply the needs of governments of all levels, as well as the broader Canadian health network. By relying on a robust and secure domestic supply chain, Canada will avoid future quality issues, shortages, border blockades, price gouging and other supply chain issues while keeping Canadian manufacturers active and Canadians employed.

CAPPEM is comprised of over 30 companies that answered the government’s call to produce PPE in Canada in the early days of the pandemic. Every CAPPEM member company is based in Canada including all headquarters and manufacturing facilities. Together, CAPPEM members proudly employ over 1,000 Canadians.