Vancouver has signed on to be Canada's first Fair Trade City. With an ethical purchasing policy already in use, this move further establishes the city's commitment to buying products that were made with fair and sustainable labour practices. Read the full story in the Vancouver Observer.
The District of Tofino is developing bylaws that would severely restrict franchised fast-food chains from opening up shop in the town. Restrictions will be made on everything from decor to carbon footprint to the use of non-local ingredients. These bylaws are intended to preserve Tofino's unique character. Read the full story in The Vancouver Sun.
Jamie Biggar is a student at the University of Victoria and member of the Canada Youth Delegation. She attended the climate change conference in Copenhagen, and wrote a letter to environmental law professor Michael M'Gonigle regarding her experiences and insights. Read the full letter in The Tyee.
The push for Canadians to "buy local" and subscribe to "100 mile diet" philosophies has prompted grocers in Ontario to replace franchise operations with independent co-ops. Former Sobey's francisers formed the Hometown Grocers Co-Op in an effort to take advantage of the high-quality local food available to them, and support local agriculture. Read the full story in CBC News.
Municipal delegates congregated at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) convention which discussed the issue of the United States protectionist policy. The U.S. infrastructure stimulus package includes "buy American" provisions for manufactured products, which is not in the interest of free trade and negatively impacts Canadian employment and economic growth. Prime Minister Harper has been called upon to negotiate with U.S. President Barrack Obama to try and work out a deal.
A growing Fair Trade movement has begun in the Kootneys BC, with 3 small towns, Creston, Golden and Kimberly, developing Fair Trade policies. Fair Trade encourages ethical purchasing abroad as well as the development of local products.
