The Barrie Fair Trade Town Initiative
The Fair Trade Towns initiative is new to Canada, adapted from the international campaign initiated in the United Kingdom. By becoming a Fair Trade Town we are confirming our community's commitment to supporting the principles of Fair Trade, and improving the livelihoods of millions of farmers and workers in the global South who benefit from the Fair Trade certification system.
To become a Fair Trade Town, our community must achieve the six goals outlined below. These goals encourage access to Fair Trade Certified products in the community, as well as increasing education and public awareness on the issue of Fair Trade.
The Barrie Fair Trade Working Group (BFTWG) set an objective for Barrie to qualify as a Fair Trade Town in May 2010, as part of National Fair Trade Weeks (May 1st to 15th) celebrations. On May 10th, 2010, with unanimous support from City Council, Barrie qualified as a Fair Trade Town.
Fair Trade Towns — a Brief History
The concept of a Fair Trade Town was established in the UK in 1999 when local members of Oxfam in Garstang England decided to elevate local awareness of Fair Trade by establishing the concept of a Fair Trade Town. The campaign won the support of local businesses, churches, schools, town council and the local media.
A criteria for qualification as a Fair Trade Town was created and made dependent on the number of retail stores and cafés supplying Fair Trade products in comparison with the population. There was also a requirement for support from local faith groups, schools and the town council.
Upon satisfying the criteria, in 1999, town council declared Garstang a Fair Trade Town.
By 2006 there were more than 200 Fair Trade towns in the UK and by 2010 this number had grown to 400, including Dublin, London and Edinburgh. Fair Trade Towns were also appearing throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand and United States. San Francisco qualified in May 2009.
By 2006 there were more than 200 Fair Trade towns in the UK and by 2009 this number had grown to 400, including Dublin, London and Edinburgh. Fair Trade Towns were also appearing throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand and United States. San Francisco qualified in May 2009.
In Canada, Wolfville, Nova Scotia was declared, by town council, as Canada's Fair Trade Town in 2007. Smaller communities such as, La Peche QC, Port Colborne ON, Gimli MB, and Golden, B.C. were added in the following years, and in 2010 Vancouver and Barrie, Ontario qualified. More information is available at www.fairtradetowns.org and www.transfair.ca
Barrie Fair Trade City Initiative Requirements and Compliance
There are six requirements for qualification as a Fair Trade City. These requirements and their status are as follows.
- Local Authority Support
Requirement: The City of Barrie agrees to qualify for and achieve Fair Trade City status as per the requirements of TransFair Canada. In addition the City agrees to use Fair Trade coffee and tea in its own lunchroom, and appoints a staff member to ensure commitment to the initiative.
Status: In November 2009, Motion 09-G-447 was passed by Council to investigate the requirements associated with Barrie to qualify as a Fair Trade City.
In May 2009 the City Hall lunchroom coffee brewer was converted to a machine that promotes and provides Fair Trade coffee (see photo). Tea was added in March 2010. Zarah Walpole of the City of Barrie was appointed in 2009 to head the Fair Trade Town Task Group.
On May 3rd, 2010 Staff Report FIN012-10 was submitted to Council, recommending that Council endorse the City Of Barrie’s commitment to qualify as a Fair Trade Town. The report received unanimous approval on the first reading May 3rd and again on the second reading May 10th. Following Council approval, TransFair Canada declared Barrie a Fair Trade Town on May 10th, 2010.
- Availability of Fair Trade Products in Barrie
Requirement:Qualification requires a minimum # of retail stores and restaurants supply and serve Fair Trade products. This # is prorated to population. For Barrie, population 130,000 there is a requirement of 26 retail stores and 13 cafés. Note that qualifying stores must carry a minimum to two distinct products; example coffee and tea or chocolate etc.
Status: Currently documented are 28 retail stores and 13 cafés. The City has met this requirement. See Fair Trade Suppliers PDF. In addition are listed many businesses that carry only one Fair Trade product. The number of qualifying stores increases every month or so as new products are introduced. For example, Zehrs added Fair Trade grapes and Melitta coffee earlier this year. Also Cadbury announced that in June, 2010 it launch its Fair Trade Dairy Milk bar in Canada. This will quickly convert many single product stores to two product stores. Note also that some retailers like Costco and Home Sense are not always consistent brand suppliers. Some weeks they will have three distinct products and other week's one.
- Community Support
Requirement: Community organizations, faith groups and schools use and promote Fair Trade products.
Status: Diverse organization in the Barrie community support Fair Trade. Georgian College, Barrie North Collegiate, Barrie Central Collegiate, St. Joan Of Arc High School, Pope John Paul II High School, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Central United Church, The YMCA, The Barrie Library, The MacLaren Art Centre, The Huronia Symphony, The Rotary, Kiwanis, Grandmother to Grandmothers have all participated in numerous events promoting Fair Trade. See News & Events, and Photo Gallery for more information.
In November 2010 The Barrie Fair Trade Working Group was chosen as the recipient of the annual YMCA Simcoe/Muskoka Peace Medallion Award for its work promoting Fair Trade.
- Public Awareness and Media Coverage
Requirement: Events, communication and media coverage are organized to promote Fair Trade awareness.
Status: 160 Fair Trade events in Barrie are documented on the BFTWG website between January 2007 and May 2010, In addition, Newspaper, TV coverage, the BFTWG website and a quarterly newsletter have all contributed to Fair Trade awareness.
- Local Fair Trade Steering Group
Requirement: A local steering committee is created to maintain commitment to Fair Trade promotion.
Status: The BFTWG was formed in 2005 by Bob Jowett and Bruce Morton. Members include representatives from local schools, churches and business. The organization meets monthly, assists with local events, maintains a website and quarterly newsletter.
- Ethical and Sustainable Consumption
Requirement: Other ethical and sustainable purchasing and consumption initiatives are promoted within the community.
Status: In May 2009, the City of Barrie created a new By-Law 2009-76, that incorporated Green (sustainable) and Fair Trade requirements into the City of Barrie procurement policies. The BFTWG group also partners with Barrie Living Green and GEAR at Georgian College to promote environmental sustainability.
For further details download the Fair Trade Towns Action Kit (PDF: 1.8MB).
More details about Fair Trade Towns can also be found at: