It might seem like one of those motherhood issues that nobody could object to, but councillors here have deferred a request to support the designation of Centre Wellington Township as a Fair Trade Town.
That would mean agreeing to purchase Fair Trade coffee and tea for all meetings and events. It would also mean the manager of economic development or his designate would be assigned to the Centre Wellington working group for fair trade to uphold the township’s continued commitment to Fair Trade Town status.
Economic development manager Dave Rushton said in a report to council the economic development committee supports the initiative because:]
– the township has a large rural base and supporting farmers worldwide to make a living makes sense, and the Fair Trade global initiatives demonstrate the desire to promote sustainable alternatives globally by acting locally;
– the township benefits from becoming a fair Trade Town because it distinguishes itself as a leader among municipalities;
– people looking for a community of choice will view the Fair Trade Town designation as a positive reflection of the municipality and the values and quality of life here;
– there is no real cost to the township to support the initiative and achieve the designation;
– there is no specific promotion of biased support required by the township for those organizations who offer Fair Trade products; and
– the endorsement through the support of council will create awareness and encourage local citizens to make ethical and sustainable choices, and the choices will always be theirs.
Barb Lee, pinch-hitting for Rushton, who was unable to attend the meeting, told council the township would be in good company with other leading communities. She noted Barrie is a Fair Trade community, as is Vancouver.
“It speaks to our sense of sustainability,” she said, and added that the group would not insist that council support only those businesses designated as official Fair Trade operations.
She said township offices are already using fair trade products like coffee and tea. She said the group is requesting “a little, but it’s a feather in our cap.”
She added that the big three products for fair trade are coffee, tea, and chocolate.
Fair Trade means that workers who produce the products are treated well and paid a fair wage.
The group presented council with a list of the needed stores selling fair trade products and the required number of restaurants supporting fair trade in order to qualify as a Fair Trade community.
It also provided a list of community businesses supporting the proposal, as well as a number of faith groups and churches. Centre Wellington District High School is also a supporter.
There is a requirement of some media coverage, and that has been met by local Newspapers over the past year.
The group has a required steering group that was founded in 2009, and it has a number of other groups for ethical purchasing, including Elora Environment Centre, Slow Food Elora, Elora Farmers’ Market, and Fraberts Fresh Food.
All that is lacking is support from council. The group indicated that if council approved just two resolutions, Centre Wellington would obtain its Fair Trade designation. First, the township has to agree to purchase Fair Trade coffee and tea for all meetings and events, and, second, allocate Fair Trade responsibilities to a member of staff to be a member of the working group for fair trade in the township and to uphold the township’s continued commitment to the Fair Trade Town status.
But councillor Fred Morris pointed out that it has been a longstanding policy of council not to endorse special interest groups.
Council decided on that policy after being inundated with requests to declare a special day or week for special interest groups. The issue became particularly ticklish when some councillors in some municipalities did not support some groups because they did not believe in their causes. Some of those groups from across Canada threatened lawsuits if they were not treated equally by councils in terms of having the declarations made, so many council reacted by treating everyone equally – and endorsing none of them.
Morris noted that the onus falls on township staff to organize events every May for the National Fair Trade Week. He said, “We can’t do that.”
Lee replied that the township would have minimal work to do and mainly to have someone attend abut ten meetings a year.
Morris replied, “Unfortunately, I don’t see it that way.”
As well, he said, Rushton was not present to answer questions, and the proposal has not been to a council committee. Morris moved that the issue be deferred until those difficulties are rectified.
Councillor Walt Visser seconded that motion, and added, “I have a great number of questions.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj asked Morris if he wants a report.
Morris said Rushton had already sent a report, but he did suggest that all councillors do some of their own research before the issue returns to council.
Council agreed unanimously to defer the issue. Councillor Ron Hallman was absent.
