May 21, 2021
The Canadian Printing Industries Association has a long history. It was actually founded in 1939. It has operated under various names until 1987 when its current name was adopted. A document outlining our history is posted on our web site.
Mission
Our mission is focussed on two main points:
- The first is to provide a National voice and platform for our industry.
- Secondly to provide a central connecting point for Regional Print Associations, Sector Associations and Print Focussed Post-Secondary Educational Programs.
The Canadian Printing Industries Association is presently composed of six Regional Associations and one Sector Association.
Each Regional Association has at least one representative on the CPIA’s Board of Directors.
Committees
We have 3 standing committees all chaired by a Board member. These are:
- Supplier partners committee
- Education partners committee
- Government affairs committee
Supplier partners committee
A supplier advisory committee composed of Domtar, Spicers, H.P. and Heidelberg in concert with the CPIA Supplier Committee is presently at work.
We will be contacting 38 National suppliers shortly to request their participation in training programs and seminars organized by CPIA for the benefit of all Regional Associations.
Educational partners committee
We have also set up an educational advisory committee involving post-secondary educational institutions. Already having agreed to work with us are College Ahuntsic, Ryerson, Manitoba Institute of Technology, Nova Scotia Community College and B.C. Institute of Technology.
We have a number of objectives with this group; the first one is to reach career counsellors at both the high school and post-secondary levels to promote the industry and to outline the very good career choices available to young people. Secondly to find ways to market our industry more efficiently in the future. Lastly to cooperate directly with these institutions to adjust curriculums to better fit todays needs in the printing industry and related fields.
Government affairs committee
Our Government affairs committee has already sent a letter to Steven Guilbeault Minister of Canadian Heritage to voice our support for legislation requiring Tech Giants such as Google and Facebook to fairly compensate Canadian content creators.
A new letter is being drafted presently that will be sent to six different ministries that could and do have impacts on the Printing Community in Canada.
This committee also has as a mission to assure that we are fully aware of all aid programs be it funding or grants that the industry can take advantage of.
Meetings
The CPIA Board meets monthly to review progress on activities and to propose new initiatives. A detailed agenda is prepared in advance of the meetings. Minutes including action items are written and distributed to all Regional Associations.
We are here to serve the needs of the Regional Associations.
