June 27, 2018 | Markham, Ontario. SBA received their Fair Trade Designation and are proud that their purchases are supporting workers and producers in the Global South. The school is the 3rd high school in Ontario, and the 1st school in the York Catholic School Board to become Fair Trade Designated. SBA has become a model Fair Trade school and they are excited to encourage more schools to join them in becoming Fair Trade Designated.
“Buying fair trade products is way for each of us, every day, to contribute to the building of a better, more fair world. Becoming a Fair Trade Designated School takes that one step further, committing to educating and engaging future leaders on the impacts of the choices that we make. Congratulations to everyone who made this designation happen – Sean McHugh, Executive Director, Canadian Fair Trade Network.
“Congratulations to the students and staff of St. Brother André Catholic High School in Markham, Ontario who are celebrating the end of the school year in style by becoming Canada’s 20th designated Fair Trade School. With a strong steering committee, teachers committed to covering fair trade issues in the classroom as well as in extra-curricular programs, and a supportive parent council, St. Brother André sets a great example for other schools in the York region to follow. Enjoy your well-earned summer break and we look forward to seeing what fair trade activities you get up to when school starts again in the fall.” – Julie Francoeur, Executive Director, Fairtrade Canada.
SBA will continue to commit to their Fair Trade initiative each year to ensure that Fair Trade products are sold in their school, while raising awareness through events and teaching about it in their classrooms.
Fair trade is an initiative that promotes livable wages, decent working conditions and fair prices for farmers and workers in various industries around the world. From cocoa and coffee, to sugar and cotton, many consumer goods rely on the exploitation of workers and their environments to gain profit. Alternatively, supporting Fair Trade means supporting the development of thriving farmer and worker communities that have more control over their futures while protecting the environment in which they live and work.
As a Catholic community, SBA supports Fair Trade because it is an opportunity to put their faith into action, by supporting the rights of farmers and workers in the global south.