Login / RegisterUniversity of B.C. named Canada’s first “Fair Trade Campus”
The University of B.C. has been designated as the first “Fair Trade Campus” in Canada for its approach to the ethical purchasing of goods like coffee and tea.
Fairtrade Canada, a national certification organization, granted the special status to UBC, says a news release today (May 5).
UBC, which already met much of the Fair Trade Campus criteria, was required to establish a fair-trade committee and place signs around campus to finally earn the status.
More than 4,900 kilograms of fair-trade coffee are consumed by UBC each year, according to Andrew Parr, managing director of the university’s student housing and hospitality services.
The news release says “primary UBC and AMS [Alma Mater Society] entities” are subject to the Fair Trade Campus requirements. But franchises on the campus such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons are excluded.
Is there any connection between this 'ethical certificate' and the fact that UBC is in Point Grey - the focus of a political by-election---I mean couldn't they have waited a couple of weeks?