PRESS RELEASES. To submit contributions or get more information please conact the FAIR TRADE DRIVE
Bruce Macdonald, MP Libby Davies, Gail McDermott and Sean Osborne
pose for the launch of a campaign to promote Commercial Drive as North America's first "Fair Trade Zone".
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3rd, 2005 9:00am
Vancouver's FAIR TRADE DRIVE - A Campaign For Canada's First Fair Trade Zone
Vancouver, BC - FAIR TRADE DRIVE, a progressive citizen-led campaign, is working to declare Vancouver's Commercial Drive as a Fair Trade Zone in celebration of this year's International Fair Trade Day on May 14th, 2005. Its success will mean that the Drive will become the first Fair Trade Zone in North America.
The FAIR TRADE DRIVE campaign launched on May 1st, in coordination with the grand opening of the new Ten Thousand Villages Store on Commercial Drive.
"Our launch event was a tremendous start", says Sean Osborne, coordinator of the FAIR TRADE DRIVE, "It was a beautiful day and everyone that stopped to sign our support sheets had something positive to say about Fair Trade. We had teachers, merchants, neighbors, police officers, street kids, you name it. This is an inclusive project that appeals to the entire range of our incredibly diverse and unique community."
The objective of creating a Fair Trade Zone in Vancouver was inspired by the world's first Fair Trade Town, which was declared in the year 2000 in Garstang, England. Following this initial success, the UK now boasts 100 Fair Trade Towns while other countries such as The Republic of Ireland, Belgium and France are developing similar projects. In North America, the FAIR TRADE DRIVE campaign is now working to bring Canada on board.
The Fair Trade Zone would be defined as a continuous area along the drive where 51% of the businesses have signed the FAIR TRADE DRIVE support sheet. At the same time the FAIR TRADE DRIVE would serve to educate and challenge these businesses to sell one or more Fair Trade products, or to purchase and use at least one Fair Trade product, such as coffee for staff.
Vancouver East Member of Parliament Libby Davies and Vancouver Councillor Tim Louis were present for the events and both gave words of support for the new store and for the FAIR TRADE DRIVE initiative. While speaking to Fair Trade supporters inside the store, Libby Davies intoned, "I cannot think of a better place to have a Fair Trade Zone than right here on Commercial Drive"
Tim Louis noted that Vancouver recently passed one of the most progressive policies he has ever seen, "The Ethical Purchasing Policy", which incorporates ethical practices, anti-sweat-shop, and Fair Trade conditions to the products the city purchases. Councillor Louis challenged Libby Davies to champion a similar policy at the federal level.
"Establishing a Fair Trade Zone in Vancouver is an engaging and dynamic initiative, which will have a positive impact on the promotion of Fair Trade," says Chantal Havard of TransFair Canada. "TransFair Canada supports the FAIR TRADE DRIVE and hopes that other communities, neighborhoods and towns in Canada will get on board as well!"
Fair Trade aims to help small-scale and other disadvantaged producers in developing countries improve their quality of life by providing a more profitable and stable trade relationship. Fair Trade products ensures that producers follow certain social and environmental criteria including fair wages and working conditions, ethical business practice and respect for human rights. Fair Trade labeling organizations such as TransFair and Fairtrade Labeling Organization (FLO) give a seal of approval to products that adhere to Fair Trade principles.
Please join the FAIR TRADE DRIVE by participating at upcoming events to bring Canada's first Fair Trade Zone to our community.
Saturday May 7th - Grandview Park, 11am to 4pm
The FAIR TRADE DRIVE campaign will be at the 10th annual Stone Soup Festival with samples, music and information.
Saturday May 14th - Various locations along Commercial Drive 11am to 4pm
International Fair Trade Day 2005 will see participating merchants such as The Fair Trade Chocolate Company (1002 Commercial Drive), Ten Thousand Villages (1204 Commercial Drive) and SPUD (1660 East Hastings) promote the FAIR TRADE DRIVE at their stores. The public is invited to join in learning and discussing about Fair Trade, as well as challenging local merchants to bring more Fair Trade to Commercial Drive.
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For more information, contact
FAIR TRADE DRIVE coordinator by email.