BC and Ontario Pick Up Their First Fair Trade Towns

Jun 10th, 2009 6:39 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BC and Ontario Pick Up Their First Fair Trade Towns Port Colborne, Nakusp, and Golden Join International Movement (June 10, 2009) Three Canadian communities have officially been recognized as Fair Trade Towns, joining the ranks of hundreds of towns and cities around the world including London and Copenhagen, TransFair Canada announced today. Port Colborne in Ontario, and Nakusp and Golden in British Columbia, are the first Fair Trade Towns in their respective provinces, and bring the total number of recognized Fair Trade Towns in Canada to five. Port Colborne was the first of the three to be recognized, followed closely by Nakusp, and later Golden. “With the Fair Trade Town recognition we are indeed a gateway to more equitable trade with our partners in the Global South,” declared Jane Nigh, a leading figure in the Port Colborne effort to become a Fair Trade Town. “We are so proud to be part of a global effort that strives to put people first in all our trade transactions.” said Nigh. Fair Trade Towns are communities that officially promote Fair Trade products and have met a variety of criteria related to consumption of those products, public education, and municipal commitment. The concept began in the town of Garstang in the United Kingdom, and quickly spread throughout the country and beyond to become an international movement. Though the UK leads in the number of communities recognized as Fair Trade Towns, movements exist in countries around the world including much of Europe, Australia, the United States and Brazil. “Fair Trade is a phenomenon that has grown at an incredible rate, both in Canada and abroad,” said Michael Zelmer, Community Relations Manager for TransFair Canada. “The recognition of these three communities, and several more on the way, further demonstrate Canadians’ commitment to fairness and respect for the farmers and artisans who produce the products we enjoy. These principles are at the heart of Fair Trade”. - 30 - Contact Information: Jane Nigh Port Colborne Fair Trade Steering Group 905-834-6292 portcolborne@villages.ca Bob Lafleur, Chief Administrative Officer Village of Nakusp 250-265-3689 blafleur@nakusp.com Craig Cooper, Coordinator Golden Fair Trade Group 250-439-9340 coopster2012@yahoo.ca Michael Zelmer, Community Relations Manager TransFair Canada 1-888-663-3247 x25 michael.zelmer@transfair.ca www.transfair.ca TransFair Canada is the national certifier of Fair Trade Certified Products. It is a registered non-profit organization and the only Canadian member of the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO) International, with which it manages a rigorous auditing system to ensure international Fair Trade standards are met by companies selling Fair Trade Certified products.