The union representing workers in Canada's struggling clothing industry, Unite Here, have applauded the country’s Conservative government in their attempts to assist the sector.

"Subsidised clothing imports from China are crippling our garment and textile industries," said Unite Here Canada director Alex Dagg. "The Conservatives criticised the Liberals for doing nothing about it, and now it looks like we might finally have a government that is willing to step up on this issue." She added that her union was encouraged after a recent meeting with Conservative Industry Minister Maxime Bernier.

A new report published by Unite Here claimed that Canada's clothing industry, the 10th-largest manufacturing sector in the country, has shrunk by over 25% since January, 2004. The problem intensified a year and a half ago when

World Trade Organisation (WTO) global quotas for apparel were lifted. Many countries, including the US and European Union, responded by implementing safeguards to protect their own industries, however, no such action has been taken in Canada.

According to the union, clothing imports to Canada from China have doubled across the board since the quotas were lifted, and quadrupled in some categories.