2020 STRATEGIC PLAN
CANADIAN FAIR TRADE NETWORK
There is a real opportunity to push the fair trade movement to the next level by working with the private sector and our government on a range of legislative goals. These goals and priorities, and our strategy, are outlined in this strategic plan.
 2Dustin Š  Canadian Leader Fair Trade Network
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION TO OUR 2020 STRATEGIC PLAN
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ABOUT THE CANADIAN FAIR TRADE NETWORK
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THE WORLD AND OUR WORK
THE UN’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
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THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT
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PILLAR I: GROW AND SUPPORT THE GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT
WHAT IS A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT?
THE FAIR TRADE MOVEMENT IN CANADA
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ACTION ITEM 1: FAIR TRADE DESIGNATION PROGRAMS
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FAIR TRADE TOWN
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FAIR TRADE CAMPUS
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FAIR TRADE SCHOOL
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FAIR TRADE EVENT
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FAIR TRADE WORKPLACE
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FAIR TRADE FAITH GROUP
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FAIR TRADE AMBASSADOR
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ACTION ITEM 2: CAMPAIGNS 13
ACTION ITEM 3: FAIR TRADE MAGAZINE
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ACTION ITEM 4: NATIONAL CONFERENCE
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ACTION ITEM 5: ORIGIN TRIPS
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ACTION ITEM 6: SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT IN CANADA
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PILLAR II: ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ADOPT FAIR TRADE
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PILLAR III: ENGAGE OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
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OUR GOALS
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OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
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OUR LONG-TERM LEGISLATIVE GOALS
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APPENDIX A: GOVERNANCE, MEMBERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY
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APPENDIX B: FINANCIAL STRATEGY
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APPENDIX C: PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION 18 APPENDIX D: CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS AND LABELS 18
CANADIAN FAIR TRADE NETWORK
Our Vision: To see a fair, sustainable world led by thoughtful, motivated, and informed Canadians. Our Mission: To inspire and coordinate a network of engaged civil society advocates and volunteers, along with business, institutional, and government leaders, in building a robust social movement that works to advance the values and vision of fair trade. Our Strategy: We will focus our efforts on three core pillars: I. Grow and support an active grassroots movement II. Work with the private sector to use fair trade as a tool for sustainable sourcing III. Engage our federal government on legislative changes
2020 STRATEGIC PLAN Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. Fair trade contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions for, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers—especially in the Global South. Fair trade organizations, backed by consumers, actively support producers, raise awareness, and campaign for changes to the rules and practices of conventional international trade. Fair trade is a tool that enables individuals, businesses, institutions, and governments to stand up for trade justice, workers’ rights, and social and environmental sustainability. • As individuals, we can actively engage with the world through our dayto-day purchases. As advocates, we can ask others to do the same and put pressure on businesses, institutions, and our governments. • For businesses, fair trade is an opportunity to bring transparency to supply chains; understand, mitigate, and address issues; and use purchasing to positively affect the lives of others. • For public institutions, such as universities, sourcing fair trade products provides a way to use considerable purchasing power to shift markets by demanding that suppliers offer fair trade. These institutions raise awareness about fair trade and engage the next generation of consumers. • For our municipal, provincial, and federal governments, fair trade is a powerful tool to drive development and support efforts already underway on human rights, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Climate Agreement. For producers, fair trade creates opportunities. It ensures that a fair price is paid and that workers rights are in place. It ensures that the environment is respected, and that farmers can both reduce their impacts and adapt to an already changing climate. Fair trade creates stability through stable pricing, pre-financing, and reliable contracts. Finally, the extra premium attached to fair trade products helps people invest in their communities, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and training. Fair trade aims to create an inclusive global economy where the private sector, the public sector, farmers, workers, and governments work together to ensure everyone can lead a life of dignity, and that no one is left behind. By growing consumer and institutional demand, we can establish better business practices and larger scale adoption. Our aim is to address the ageold issue that fair trade has always faced: Supply heavily outpaces demand. This limits fair trade’s effectiveness for producers and our ability to shift the system. If we can drive demand, we can drive change. With strong grassroots support, we can push the private sector and encourage greater government leadership.
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The Canadian Fair Trade Network (CFTN) is a federally registered non-profit organization. The CFTN is registered under and adheres to policies laid out in the Canadian Not-for-profit Corporations Act. The CFTN operates with an active board of directors, executive director, working team, and advisory council. Stay in touch! The Canadian Fair Trade Network 514 – 207 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6B 1H7 1.604.685.6005 | info@cftn.ca @CFTNetwork CFTNetwork cftnetwork Canadian Fair Trade Network ©Dustin Leader
2019 Strategic Plan « 5 »
THE WORLD & OUR WORK WHY CHANGE THE WORLD? There are close to 7.6 billion people on planet earth today, a number that’s expected to rise to 9.7 billion by 2030. We share the same basic needs and wants, yet many of us lack access to clean water, healthy food, quality education, and basic health care. The World Bank estimates that over 735 million people live in extreme poverty on less than US$1.90 a day. Small-scale farmers produce over 70 percent of the world’s food, often while living in poverty. Inequality plagues the global economy: The 26 richest people now hold as much wealth as the poorest 3.6 billion—that’s half the world’s population. Most people lack basic rights and freedoms including freedom of thought, freedom of association, and rights to peaceful assembly, vote, travel, basic security, and a free press. We are pushing our environment to its breaking point. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an intergovernmental body of the United Nations, now says we have until 2030 to reduce our impacts on the planet, if we hope to escape the worst effects of climate change. « 6 » Canadian Fair Trade Network
The SDGs aim to leave no one behind, but we need to take action to see them through.
THE UN’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS On September 25, 2015, world leaders adopted the most ambitious development agenda in history. That day, the world committed to work tirelessly toward establishing prosperity and dignity for all, and a healthier planet. This pledge, and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is the 2030 Agenda. While the scope and significance of the 2030 Agenda implies that nobody should be left behind, it also implies that nobody can stay on the sidelines. To succeed, we must be more than bystanders. We must work hard and together: governments, businesses, non-profit organizations, international institutions, and individuals. Fair trade is an example of the active and inclusive partnerships we need to pursue. Fair trade promotes sustainable production and consumption patterns, systems that keep our planet healthier and our societies more inclusive. In addition, by better connecting marginalized producers and workers to sustainable supply chains, fair trade challenges inequality and helps people get out of poverty. Yet the efforts of individuals and organizations will never be enough. We need public policies to create the right incentives for markets to deliver growth and development for all, while preserving the planet. Fair Trade contributes to several SDGs, primarily SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), but also SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work), SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (climate change), SDG 16 (peace and justice), and SDG 17 (partnerships).
THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT On December 12, 2015, world leaders signed an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement’s language was negotiated by representatives of 196 state parties at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC in Le Bourget, near Paris, France. It’s a landmark agreement but we need to take bold action if we hope to achieve its goals.
GROW AND SUPPORT THE GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT
PILLAR I
Isaac Newton’s first law of motion is sometimes referred to as the law of inertia. It states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalancing force. For change to happen, we must be the unbalancing force, and push the world in the direction of becoming a more fair, sustainable place.
THE FAIR TRADE MOVEMENT IN CANADA As Canadians, we have a long history of standing up for workers rights, universal public health care, and the environment. The fair trade movement is no different, with individual people pushing for change, from coast to coast to coast for many years now. The Canadian Fair Trade Network (CFTN) was founded in 2011 to grow this movement by tying together individual actions and enabling us to speak with a louder, more coordinated voice. The movement now encompasses individuals, volunteers and advocates, business, institutional and government leaders, as well as non-profit partners and academics. In early 2011, Canada had one national Fair Trade designation program, Fair Trade Town, with 15 designations. The program started in the UK in 2001 and was brought to Canada in 2006. The program recognizes efforts made by municipalities and advocates for their support for fair trade. Building off the success of Fair Trade Town, the Fair Trade Campus program launched in 2011, Fair Trade School in 2014, and Fair Trade Event, Workplace, and Faith Group after that. All six national programs recognize efforts made in the name of fair trade. There have been close to 200 designations since 2011. While much has been achieved, there is much to do, from establishing better support for fair trade through policy and purchasing, to driving education, promotion, and group sustainability, all while working to increase the number of designations.
WHAT IS A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT? Grassroots movements are people driven, where a community seeks to change the status quo. Grassroots movements and organizations use collective action from the local level to effect change at the local, regional, national, or international level. Grassroots movements are associated with bottom-up, rather than top-down decision making, and are sometimes considered more natural or spontaneous than more traditional power structures. Grassroots movements, using self-organization, encourage community members to contribute by taking responsibility and action for their community.
Beyond designations, there is also a real opportunity to push the private sector and work with our government on a range of legislative goals. These goals and priorities, and our strategy on how we plan to contribute to our vision, are outlined in this strategic plan.
Biggar Central School 2000, Saskatchewan’s first Fair Trade School
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AC T I O N I T E M 1
FAIR TRADE DESIGNATION PROGRAMS These programs have been designed to provide a tangible set of goals to work toward. They provide insights, ideas and strategy on how to move things forward, while providing the resources and support to help advocates. They also present considerable leverage, which can be used to push for broader adoption and greater availability. Our goal is to increase the number of designations in Canada.
Canadians have a long history of standing up for workers rights, universal public health care and the environment. The fair trade movement is no different.
Our short-term aim is to provide basic support in the following ways: • Maintain regular contact with advocates, through email and phone calls • Meet in-person where possible • Support advocates with guidance and advice • Share promotional materials and post-designation toolkits • Ensure advocates have access to funding »» Through our advocacy fund, where advocates can apply for up to $500 per project »» Through an online list of funding options and ideas • Host quarterly webinars in partnership with Fairtrade Canada • Share campaign materials • Improve the application process • Work with advocates on the annual renewal process • Support the scaling up of a Fair Trade Region model »» Build this off of existing programs, specifically the Fair Trade Town program »» Prepare presentation to city councils »» Develop a model that can be applied across Canada Our medium-term goal is to help grow the programs. We plan to do this in the following ways: • Build a website, co-managed by all three partner organizations: The Canadian Fair Trade Network, Fairtrade Canada, and the Association québécoise du commerce équitable • Within the website, create a resource hub with a resource library »» Ensure access to research and understandable statistics »» Create and share resources on strategy, policy and purchasing »» Collect and share supportive quotes from prominent people »» Map out the movement to make it easier for people to connect • Measure impact and communicate data to volunteers and advocates Our long-term goals are as follows: • Decentralize where possible and support Fair Trade provincial body efforts, building off success seen in Manitoba and Quebec »» Connect these efforts to the provincial councils for international cooperation »» Work toward hiring at least one part-time staff member per province • Look at bringing on official program partners to help grow the programs’ reach and credibility.
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FAIR TRADE TOWN 2020 Designation Goal: 35 The Fair Trade Town program recognizes municipalities demonstrating strong commitment to fair trade from community stakeholders, municipal government, businesses, and individual members. The program has a long-term vision for awareness and support of fair trade and is designed to address the needs of and opportunities available to a range of different communities, large and small, across Canada. More so, Fair Trade Towns are often the hub of activity, bringing together and supporting those working to promote fair trade on their university campuses or at their high schools.
We want to ensure that Fair Trade Town leaders, like Bev Toews (centre) and the team from Olds, AB, have access to resources.
Fair Trade Towns apply for designation by completing and submitting an application. This application shows that all requirements have been met. Designations last for one year. Designated towns are required to submit an annual renewal by July 1. We have six core goals for the program: 1. Ensure that all Fair Trade Towns stay active, meaning each group maintains a fair trade committee, holds two events every year, and submits its completed annual renewal by July 1. 2. Host quarterly Fair Trade Town calls 3. Ensure that the groups or organizations leading Fair Trade Town efforts are strong, well resourced, and passionate. We plan to: »» Help towns groups recruit and retain volunteers »» Work with groups on long-term continuity, strategy, and goal-setting »» Create and provide a guide on becoming a non-profit organization, and help town groups become self-sufficient non-profits, and then maintaining that status. »» Increase the connection and communication between towns groups across Canada »» Provide sample outreach presentations for use in schools and present them to city councils »» Provide a list of successful events organized by other towns teams to help inspire others 4. Ensure that the municipal government is engaged, has policies in place, and continues to purchase fair trade products. 5. Increase the number of Fair Trade Towns in Canada »» Work with partner organizations, networks, and associations to broaden the scope and reach »» Attend conferences where possible 6. Work with Fair Trade Town groups on larger, national advocacy campaigns.
DESIGNATION GOALS 2018 Numbers: • 26 Fair Trade Towns • 34 Fair Trade Campuses • 22 Fair Trade Schools • 51 Fair Trade Events (in 2018) • 61 Fair Trade Workplaces • 10 Fair Trade Faith Groups 2020 Goals: • 35 Fair Trade Towns • 50 Fair Trade Campuses • 50 Fair Trade Schools • 100 Fair Trade Events per year • 100 Fair Trade Workplaces • 25 Fair Trade Faith Groups
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FAIR TRADE CAMPUS 2020 Designation Goal: 50 The Fair Trade Campus program recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate strong commitment to fair trade through the products they purchase, the policies they establish, and the programs they use to engage students. Universities and colleges have a rich history of leadership in developing new ideas and supporting shifts toward sustainability. These campuses are more than centres of higher learning, they are important agents for promoting change in their communities and in the marketplace. The Fair Trade Campus program works to support and recognize Students are the heart of the Fair Trade Campus program. students, sustainability leads, and purchasing managers on these efforts. Fair Trade Campuses apply for designation by completing and submitting an application, which shows that all requirements have been met. Designations last for one year. Designated campuses are required to submit an annual renewal by July 1. We have six core goals for the program: 1. Ensure that Fair Trade Campuses stays active, meaning each campus group maintains a fair trade committee, holds at least two events every year, and completes and submits its annual renewal 2. Keep students at the heart of the program 3. Support purchasing managers, and help them to »» Source fair trade products »» Establish fair trade purchasing policies by providing sample policy language and examples 4. Increase the number of Fair Trade Campuses in Canada »» Work with partner organizations, networks, and associations to broaden the scope and reach »» Attend non-profit partner and industry conferences where possible 5. Work with Designated Campuses on deepening their commitments to fair trade through the adoption of Silver and Gold Fair Trade Campus standards 6. Work with Fair Trade Campus groups on larger, national advocacy campaigns « 10 » Canadian Fair Trade Network
FAIR TRADE SCHOOL 2020 Designation Goal: 50
AC T I O N I T E M 1
The Fair Trade School program recognizes schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to fair trade from their administrations, teachers, and students. The program centres on educating and empowering the next generation to ensure that students leave school conscious of the choices they make and how they impact the world. Fair Trade Schools apply for designation by completing and submitting an application that shows that all requirements have been met. Designations last for one year. Designated schools are required to submit an annual renewal by July 1. We have four core goals for the program: 1. Ensure Fair Trade Schools stay active and renew annually, meaning each school maintains a fair trade committee, holds at least two events each year, and completes and submits its annual renewal. 2. Support teachers with curriculum and educational materials 3. Increase the number of Fair Trade Schools in Canada »» Work with partner organizations, networks, and associations to broaden the scope and reach »» Attend conferences where possible »» Encourage school and town groups to present to school boards 4. Embed fair trade into curriculum by advocating for provincial adoption
The Fair Trade School program helps inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of globally aware Canadians.
FAIR TRADE EVENT 2020 Designation Goal: 100 per year The Fair Trade Event designation recognizes events that demonstrate a strong commitment to fair trade. To become a designated Fair Trade Event, organizers need to submit a completed application form demonstrating compliance with the requirements. The designation provides a tool for advocates to engage beyond their traditional communities. We have two core goals for the program: 1. Continue to grow the number of Fair Trade Events in Canada »» Work with annual recurring events to streamline their applications while upholding consistent standards »» Prepare designation outlines for event planners and major event centres 2. Streamline applications »» Move the process to SurveyMonkey for both private and public events »» Give applicants an overview of survey questions through a pdf file »» Encourage applicants to submit photos of the event
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AC T I O N I T E M 1
FAIR TRADE WORKPLACE 2020 Designation Goal: 100 The Fair Trade Workplace program offers advocates an easy way to engage their coworkers by promoting fair trade products in their offices. To become a designated Fair Trade Workplace, an office needs to submit a completed application form demonstrating compliance with the requirements.
If we can drive demand, we can drive change. With strong grassroots support, we can push the private sector and encourage greater government leadership.
We have three goals for the program: 1. Ensure that all Fair Trade Workplaces stay active and renew annually, meaning each group maintains a fair trade committee, holds one event every year, and completes and submits its annual renewal by July 1 2. Continue to grow the number of Fair Trade Workplaces in Canada 3. Use the program to start conversations about sourcing
FAIR TRADE FAITH GROUP 2020 Designation Goal: 25 The Fair Trade Faith Group program offers advocates a way to engage and recognize efforts made by faith groups. To become a designated Fair Trade Faith Group, a group needs to submit a completed application form demonstrating compliance with the requirements. We have two goals for the program: 1. Ensure that all Fair Trade Faith Groups stay active and renew annually, meaning each group maintains a fair trade committee, holds two events every year, and submits its completed annual renewal form by July 1. 2. Increase the number of Fair Trade Faith Groups in Canada »» Encourage town and school groups to present the program to local congregations
FAIR TRADE AMBASSADOR The Fair Trade Ambassador Program recognizes individuals for demonstrating strong commitment to fair trade through their passion and dedication. It’s designed to support the fair trade leaders of today and empower the leaders of tomorrow. Interested candidates are required to put together a personal action plan. Our goals for the program are as follows: 1. Design an online and in-person training system to ensure the program is effective and manageable 2. Find ambassadors from across Canada for coast-to-coast representation 3. Train ambassadors to mentor others by providing in-depth fair trade training and skills development »» Identify ambassadors geographically on the resource hub to connect these fair trade champions with local communities. « 12 » Canadian Fair Trade Network
CAMPAIGNS
AC T I O N I T E M 2
Effective at engaging large numbers of people on an issue, campaigns help move a message beyond the community that already supports it. Our goal is to support and conduct three types of campaigns: 1. Holidays: We will push out materials about fair trade on holidays such as Valentines day & Halloween 2. Annual: We will support and push campaigns such as Fairtrade Month, World Fair Trade Day, and Fair Trade Campus Week 3. Disruptive: Having had success with more edgy, issue-based campaigns in the past, we will look to push the envelope on our messaging, presenting fair trade as way to address the issue at hand. Examples to date: The Label Doesn’t Tell The Whole Story, which was aimed at drawing awareness to the issues with textiles & Cocoa Cups, which was aimed at driving awareness to the issues in cocoa.
FAIR TRADE MAGAZINE
AC T I O N I T E M 3
Published in print and online every January and July, Fair Trade Magazine unpacks supply chains, looks at unique challenges facing producers, and delivers key perspectives on fair trade. We print 20,000 copies of each issue and all stories are published digitally on our website and shared through our newsletter and social media channels. Circulated nationally through 180 distribution points, the 24-page, fullcolour publication is paid for through advertising. The magazine is a public engagement tool for advocates, fair trade brands and retailers, and offers people a hard copy publication to pick up, take home, and read. Our goals are to grow: • Advertising to $12,000 per issue • Circulation numbers to 30,000 copies per issue • Online readership to 10,000 clicks, views, and impressions per issue across all platforms
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
AC T I O N I T E M 4
Our National Fair Trade Conference has become the key national gathering for the fair trade movement in Canada. It provides for an opportunity for people to learn, share, and connect with peers. It brings people together, and builds excitement, empowering advocates, business leaders, and institutional and government officials alike. Our goal is to grow attendance to 350 in 2019 and 400 in 2020.
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AC T I O N I T E M 5
ORIGIN TRIPS Over the past two years, we have led fair trade–focused trips to Peru, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, giving Canadians an opportunity to learn about agriculture, business, trade, and development. By visiting producing countries in the Global South, buyers, business leaders, and advocates deepen their knowledge of and connection to fair trade and our global community. Our goal is to run at least one trip per year, taking Canadians to meet fair trade producers and co-ops in the Global South. Our goal is to bring students, advocates, business leaders, purchasing and procurement professionals, food service leaders, institutional and government leaders, including Members of Parliament.
AC T I O N I T E M 6
SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT IN CANADA Our goal is to work with Reeve Consulting to launch a new initiative that will help drive sustainable procurement in Canada. We will work to develop a coast-to-coast network to encourage dialogue about policy and purchasing practices related to sustainable procurement, as well as provide resources for municipalities, universities and colleges to develop more sustainable procurement practices.
« 14 » Canadian Fair Trade In 2018, Network we led a trip to Northern Peru , where we connected with producers who grow coffee, cocoa, sugar, bananas
ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO USE FAIR TRADE AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE SOURCING
PILLAR II
Because supply chains are often long, complex, and convoluted, we need to improve transparency and business practices to establish fairness in global trade. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, endorsed in 2011, provides a global standard for preventing and addressing the risk of adverse human rights impacts linked to business activity. From this standard, various countries around the world, including Canada, are developing legislation to address human rights issues in business supply chains. In addition, as more and more of us search for accurate information about product origins, businesses need to assure their customers that they respect everyone in their supply chains, including subcontractors. Fair trade is a tool that businesses of all sizes can use to bring transparency and accountability to their supply chains—to meet the emerging demand for sustainable trade practices, and show consumers, institutions, and governments that they are taking action to prevent human rights violations in their operations.
SUPPORTING THE PIONEERS Small, committed companies that sell 100 percent of their products as fair trade are the pioneers of fair trade, and we believe they will continue to lead. We also believe that supporting local, Canadian companies is essential to growing fair trade in Canada. We are committed to the following: • Prioritize Canadian companies when recommending fair trade products • Prioritize fully committed companies when recommending fair trade products • Connect fully committed companies with Fair Trade designation programs • Connect fully committed companies with food service providers • Holding business focused sessions at our conference to support small Canadian fair trade businesses
PUSHING LATE ADOPTERS With growing consumer demand, and a well-organized grassroots movement, we can create considerable pressure on larger companies to adopt fair trade products. Our goals are the following: 1. Identify businesses who are not yet on board 2. Build campaigns to create noise 3. Utilize the grassroots movement to amplify that noise Using tools such as mail ins, social media, and boycotts, we will work with Fair Trade designated town, campus, and school groups to put pressure on these businesses. 2019 Strategic Plan « 15 »
PILLAR III
ENGAGE OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON LEGISLATIVE CHANGES The time is right to scale up our efforts beyond growing the programs and supporting business. We have an opportunity to drive larger legislative efforts that would have wide-reaching effects—in Canada and around the world.
From coast to coast, advocates, volunteers, and business and institutional leaders are actively engaged in the fair trade movement. Millions of Canadians now live in Fair Trade Towns and hundreds of thousands of students attend Fair Trade Campuses. Our 2018 Conference welcomed 300 delegates to Vancouver.
OUR GOALS 1. Build the infrastructure to launch coordinated advocacy campaigns 2. Provide online and in-person training on campaign execution and MP engagement for advocates to support grassroots efforts. »» Create a core group of advocates who can lead these efforts as an Advocacy Distributed team »» Create an advocacy training program that can be replicated across Canada 3. Develop well-researched policy recommendations 4. Communicate with the public to share policy recommendations and demonstrate national support for these recommendations »» Plan a Parliament day to meet with MPs »» Plan an action such as a social media blitz or postcard mail in 5. Work with values-aligned partners, such as Fairtrade Canada and Engineers Without Borders
OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES MODERN SLAVERY LEGISLATION The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is a platform for coordinated multilateral action on regulation of businesses in the field of forced labour, and a growing number of governments around the world are taking legal action to ensure the accountability and commitment of businesses in addressing forced labour in their supply chains. • Goal: To see our federal government put in place legislation that requires all companies to identify, report, and address modern slavery within their supply chains. • How: Work with a coalition of organizations to push this legislation.
SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT Public spending accounts for an average of 12 percent of GDP in OECD countries, and up to 30 percent in developing countries. Shifting public spending toward more sustainable goods and services promotes environmental and social responsibility, which can reduce global poverty and enable the transition to a fair, sustainable economy. • Goal: To see our federal government put in place policies that prioritize sustainability in all procurement decisions. • How: Highlight successful existing policies to build a case and work with MPs and government departments to promote this shift.
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Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC, is Canada’s 26th Fair Trade Town.
OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (ODA) SPENDING
• Goal: To see Canada increase the amount it commits to ODA and to see that money support co-operatives and farmers. We want Canada to encourage partnerships in global supply chains and support greater value add at origin. • How: Build the case for tying together ODA spending, Canadian consumer and business behaviour, and government procurement. And work with our government on an action plan.
OUR LONG-TERM LEGISLATIVE GOALS
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND LABELLING Fair trade is one of the most innovative and impactful development strategies in the world. It has been recognized and endorsed by a variety of well-established NGOs, the European Union, and numerous national and local governments. The success of the movement and its popularity among consumers, however, has led to imitation and the multiplication of fair trade schemes. This in turn has resulted in a watering down of standards, mission drift and, correspondingly, confusion among consumers, civil society organizations and public institutions. • Goal: To see our federal government put in basic rules around sustainability and fair trade claims. This could include mandatory thirdparty certification, and/or a national standard for fair trade.
TRADE POLICY AND AGREEMENTS To meaningfully address global issues, we need to develop trade policies that equally value human rights and economic objectives. • Goal: To see our federal government formalize these priorities within our trade agreements and policies.
For change to happen, we must be the unbalancing force, and push the world in the direction of becoming a more fair, sustainable place.
FAIR TRADE NATION If we want to change the world for the better, we need to lead by example. • Goal: To see our government be a global leader in promoting fair trade and sustainability, by becoming a Fair Trade Nation. We see this status being centred on taking leadership in promoting our Designations programs and taking meaningful steps on our legislative priorities. 2019 Strategic Plan « 17 »
APPENDIX A
GOVERNANCE, MEMBERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY We are a federally incorporated non-profit organization, committed to leading by example on good governance, process, transparency, and accountability. We are committed to:
MEMBERSHIP • Maintain an active community of members • Communicate with members at least three times per year, providing an annual report, our financial information, and a notice of our Annual General Meeting.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS • • • •
Hold monthly online board meetings Conduct bi-annual in-person board meetings Post meeting minutes on our website after every meeting Ensure complete transparency about board members, term lengths, and elections
ANNUAL REPORTS • Prepare, publish, and share an annual report each year
NON-PROFIT STATUS • Stay in good standing with Industry and Corporations Canada by filing necessary returns, reports, and board changes
APPENDIX B
FINANCIAL STRATEGY Securing funding for fair trade has never been easy, as it sits between traditional international development, local community movements, business, public institutions, and government. While this unconventional position is a strength of the fair trade—and our organization—it can limit funding opportunities. Our strategy has been and will continue to be diversification. We will seek funding in the following ways: • Contracts with like-minded partner organizations • Contracts with universities • Grants and foundations • Business contributions • Sponsorship (conference) • Advertising (magazine) • Private donations • Membership dues
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PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION
APPENDIX C
PARTNERSHIPS IN CANADA Working with organizations that share our values has always been central to our work and success. We will continue to prioritize working with others, as outlined throughout this strategy.
PARTNERSHIPS IN NORTH AMERICA While markets in Canada and United States are very different, we are committed to working across borders to strengthen our efforts. Our hope is to bring leading North American organizations together under a common banner (such as Trade Fair. Live Fair.) following the lead of our European colleagues who work together on a variety of advocacy and policy initiatives. This is a long-term goal.
ACADEMICS AND ADVISORS Since its inception we have maintained an advisory council as a way of working more closely with academics, business leaders, and certifying organizations. The advisory council complements our grassroots-based board of directors and we will continue to maintain this council and these relationships.
CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS AND LABELS
APPENDIX D
The success of fair trade and its popularity among consumers has led to imitation, and over time, the development of less rigorous fair trade schemes. This has resulted in watered-down standards, mission drift, and, correspondingly, confusion among consumers, civil society organizations, and public institutions. At the CFTN, we take an active role in combatting fair-washing by maintaining a certification endorsement policy. Learn more about where we stand at cftn.ca/fair-trade 2019 Strategic Plan ÂŤ 19 Âť
© Dustin Leader
CANADIAN FAIR TRADE NETWORK