Push for Fair Trade in Saugeen Shores

from Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre

Written by Ken Hashizume

One Saugeen Shores resident wants the Town to seek Fair Trade status.

Elizabeth Campbell says Saugeen Shores would be the first municipality in Ontario and third in Canada to have a Fair Trade status.

Campbell says more and more people are becoming socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible and one way of doing their part is to purchase Fair Trade certified products.

She says by purchasing Fair Trade products like coffee you can make a difference in the lives of people and communities in third world countries.

She says Saugeen Shores has an average disposable income of 70 thousand dollars per capita and can afford to pay a little more to help those in other countries that live below the poverty line.

Campbell says to be recognized as a Fair Trade town by organizations like Oxfam or TransFair Canada, at least two businesses for every population of 5 thousand must sell Fair Trade products.

She says she knows at least four businesses who do sell Fair Trade products and the Town does qualify with a population of just over 12 thousand.

Campbell says she would like to have the status in place by the Victoria Day long weekend in May.

She says she would like the Town to put signs up at ports of entry signifying the status.

She would also like to form a steering committee to further educate and inform the public on Fair Trade.