History
- 1994
Fair Trademark Canada, now known as Fairtrade Canada, is founded as a volunteer-based organization. The first certified products available in Canada are coffee, tea, chocolate and sugar. While most licensed products now use our international logo, the original “bucketboy” trademark is still owned by Fairtrade Canada and can be spotted across Canada. - 2006
Fairtrade Canada launched the Fair Trade Towns Program in 2006, with Wolfville NS being the first community to be designated. - 2010
In 2010 the criteria for the Fair Trade Campus Program were developed in partnership with the University of British Columbia. - 2011
In 2011 the Canadian Fair Trade Network (CFTN) was founded, and a short time later partnered with Fairtrade Canada to co-manage the Fair Trade Programs and to advance, support, and advocate for the fair trade movement in Canada. - 2013/4
Full Fair Trade Town and Campus Program materials were developed by CFTN in 2013/14. This included guides, requirement summary sheets, pamphlets, project plans, audit sheets, application and renewal forms. - 2014
CFTN developed two new Programs in partnership with Fairtrade Canada in 2014. The Fair Trade Schools Program was implemented with funding acquired through the Lush Charity Pot Program. The Fair Trade Event Program was developed in partnership with Manitoba Council for International Co-operation and the Vancouver International Soccer Festival. - 2016
L’Association québécoise du commerce équitable (AQCÉ) became a Fair Trade Programs partner in 2016, leading the growth and operational management of Programs in Quebec. The Fair Trade Workplace and Faith Group Programs were also implemented that year. - 2018-2020
Requirements for Fair Trade Campus Silver & Gold Status are developed and launched. The University of Toronto Mississauga becomes the first Fair Trade Campus to achieve the Silver status in November 2019, and Simon Fraser University is the first Fair Trade Campus to achieve the Gold status in September 2020. - 2022
After three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the management of the Fair Trade Programs is handed over to Fairtrade Canada. An independent Fair Trade Programs Advisory Committee composed of representatives of the grassroots movement is created to advise Fairtrade Canada on the strategic direction of the Programs.
Advisory Committee
The Fair Trade Programs Advisory Committee is composed of seven individuals from all across Canada involved in organizations designated under the Programs, academics, and other independent members with relevant experience of the Programs.
The mandate of the Advisory Committee is defined by Terms of Reference adopted jointly by Fairtrade Canada and the Canadian Fair Trade Network.
Committee members are appointed by Fairtrade Canada and the Canadian Fair Trade Network for two-year terms. Their mandate is to advise Fairtrade Canada on the strategic direction of the Programs in Canada. It should do so while keeping in mind the integrity and good governance of the Programs.
The current members of the Committee are:
- Mark McLaughlin, Simon Fraser University (BC)
- Bev Toews, Olds High School / Fair Trade Olds (AB)
- Zack Gross, Fair Trade Manitoba (MB)
- Daphna Lewinshtein, Fair Trade Toronto (ON)
- Rosée Lalonde, Carrefour de Solidarité Internationale / Sherbrooke Ville équitable (QC)
- Claudette Torbey, Concordia University (QC)
- Vicki Matthews, Just Us! (NS)
Application and Annual Renewal
A Fair Trade Program designation is a badge of honor for your hard work promoting and supporting trade justice. To maintain the integrity of the designation, every Fair Trade Program is required to submit its annual renewal by July 1 each year after its initial application
Recognized certifications
For agricultural products:
For products where no Fairtrade or SPP standards exist:
