Fair Trade Towns

The Fair Trade Towns campaign is an exciting initiative that allows communities to support Fair Trade at the local level.  The campaign increases availability and awareness of Fair Trade Certified.

Why become a Fair Trade Town?

• To distinguish your community as a leader and to confirm your commitment to supporting the principles of Fair Trade, including a fair price, respect for labour standards, environmental sustainability, and more direct and equitable trade
• To improve the livelihoods of the millions of farmers and workers in the developing world who benefit from the Fair Trade Certification system
• To create awareness and encourage local citizens to make ethical and sustainable choices
• To unite your community in a common cause
• To have fun and be creative

To become a Fair Trade Town, your community must achieve the following 6 goals....

1. The local council uses Fair Trade Certified products and supports the Fair Trade Towns campaign
2. Stores & restaurants serve Fair Trade Certified products
3. Workplaces, faith groups, & schools use and promote Fair Trade Certified products
4. Public awareness events and media coverage held on Fair Trade and the campaign
5. A steering group created for continued commitment
6. Other ethical and sustainable initiatives promoted within the community

A little history

The idea of a "Fair Trade Town" was born in England in 1999, when an Oxfam group in the town of Garstang wanted to promote Fair Trade as part of a community effort.

The campaign aimed to make Garstang the world's first Fair Trade Town and this goal soon attracted the interest of others throughout the community including private citizens, local businesses, and the town council.

All of the excitement surrounding the campaign soon captured the attention of local and regional media and before long Garstang became a famous landmark and an international campaign was born.

Many towns have followed the Garstang.'s example There are now more than 630 Fair Trade Towns in 18 countries!

Here and Now

In Canada, the movement is still young. The first city to be awarded Fair Trade Town status was Wolfville, Nova Scotia, on April 17, 2007. Some cities such as La Peche, Quebec, Gimli, Manitoba and Golden, British Columbia allowing Fair Trade Towns to stretch from coast to coast. New Fair Trade Towns will be announced in the coming months.

Fair Trade Towns in Canada:

• Wolfville, NS (April 17, 2007)
• La Pêche, QC (November 9, 2007)
• Port Colborne, ON (April 28, 2009)
• Nakusp, BC (April 29, 2009)
• Golden, BC (June 8, 2009)
• Gimli, MB (July 1, 2009)
• Olds, AB (November 9, 2009)
• Revelstoke, BC (December 8, 2009)

(As not all local campaigns are listed, please contact the Communications department at TransFair Canada to find out if there is a Fair Trade Town campaign in your region or to register a new campaign)

We invite you to join the movement by supporting the campaign already underway in your town or by starting one yourself.

To get started, have a look at our Fair Trade Towns Action Guide for all the details on how to become a Fair Trade Town.