OTTAWA, Feb. 5 /CNW/ - The Honourable Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, today announced that Gildan Activewear of Montreal, Quebec has won one of this year's Canadian Awards for International Cooperation - the Award for Excellence in Corporate Social and Ethical Responsibility sponsored by Nexen Incorporated.

"Gildan Activewear's management of its three plants in Honduras is a prime example of how a company can combine business success with corporate social responsibility," said Minister Whelan. "Gildan's employees and business partners benefit from a code of ethics and behaviour that values diversity, dignity, fairness and equal opportunity for all."

This year's awards were presented at a dinner at the Canadian Museum of Civilization celebrating International Development Week - an annual event held to recognize Canadian contributions to international cooperation and to raise awareness among Canadians about international development issues. The Canadian Awards for International Cooperation pay tribute to Canadian businesses and organizations that have directly helped developing countries or countries in transition to progress socially and economically.

Gildan's textile manufacturing operations are highly profitable and efficient, based on state-of- the-art technology and environmentally responsible waste treatment methods. Its employees have a comprehensive benefits package, including on-site medical care. Training and development programs are open to all, with special measures to encourage greater participation by women. The company is active in the community and consults frequently with local stakeholders. These policies have recently won Gildan Activewear certification by the Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production Organization.

Recipients for the 11th Canadian Awards for International Cooperation were selected by a eight- member committee representing the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), the private sector, the institutional sector, the NGO community and two representatives from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). They were chosen from projects carried out by businesses and organizations from every province of Canada. The other winners for 2002/03 are: Lambert Somec of Quebec City, Quebec; the Canadian Bar Association of Ottawa, Ontario; LGL Limited of King City, Ontario; CANAC Inc. of Saint-Laurent, Quebec; Wardrop Engineering of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Canada World Youth of Montreal, Quebec; AMEC Incorporated of Mississauga, Ontario; and Geospatial International Incorporated of Victoria, British Columbia.

For more details on award winners and their projects, please consult the Canadian Awards for International Cooperation backgrounder.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.