2000s

2001:

Workers from the 27 nations represented in Edmonton's LS&CO. workforce wanted to do something to welcome athletes to the 2001 IAAF World Championships in Athletics, so they fabricated the largest pair of blue jeans in the world. The City ordered that they take them down because organizers of the championships found it unattractive.

When the contract with Jack Spratt expired, LS&CO. resumed production of the GWG brand in Edmonton, Alberta and Stony Creek, Ontario.

LS&CO. donated fabric to Tools for Schools, a United Way program, to make book bags.

Huge pair of jeans Newspaper clipping Levi's book bag

2003:

In May, LS&CO. celebrated its 150th anniversary with an international travelling exhibition. In September, LS&CO. announced that it would close its three remaining plants in North America: the sewing operations in Edmonton and Stoney Creek, and the finishing centre in Brantford. LS&CO. introduced its "Levi Strauss Signature®" brand, its lowest-priced brand, through Wal-Mart. Following seven years of consecutive financial losses, LS&CO. posted its largest loss ever-US$349 million. 10,000 jobs were lost in the clothing industry, Canada's sixth largest manufacturing sector.

Photo of travelling exhibit

2004:

LS&CO. closed its remaining plants in Canada, laying off 231 workers at the finishing centre in Brantford, 461 workers in Stoney Creek, and 488 workers in Edmonton.

The assets of the Brantford and Edmonton plants were sold to single buyers in the developing world.

As part of its exit strategy, Levi's provided philanthropic donations to the affected communities and assistance in finding new jobs for workers. Few, however, found comparable jobs elsewhere.

Newspaper clipping Photo of factory interior

2005:

Maximum quotas on the importing of clothing made in the developing world were eliminated, further risking another 31,000 Canadian clothing manufacturing jobs.