There are so many to list and each one has links to other interesting ones, so I’ve just included a few which I enjoyed and you can peruse through their links and let me know if you find anything cool.
TransFair Canada, Fair Trade Toronto, Equiterre (Quebec).
Maquila Solidarity www.maquilasolidarity.org
This is one of the few Canadian advocacy groups championing workers rights. They have excellent and comprehensive resources which are applicable to Canadians, as well as Canadian-relevant campaigns and countless international links.
Ethiquette - The Responsible Consumption Network www.ethiquette.ca
This information service brings responsible products and service choices to Quebec consumers through their website and bi-monthly electronic newsletter.
Responsible Shopper www.responsibleshopper.org
This website by Coop America has a corporate rating system and lists criticisms and praise for some of America's best known companies. Also check-out Coop America's list of 10 things you should never buy again.
Buy Nothing Christmas http://buynothingchristmas.org
This initiative by Canadian Mennonites has some excellent alternative ideas and some resources like "back massage coupons". They also have a rather forgettable buy nothing catalogue if you want to check it out.
The Meatrix www.theMeatrix.com
A fun, award-winning internet movie about factory farms. After the film, check out their associate www.sustainabletable.org for some great ideas about having a sustainable holiday feast.
Corp Watch www.corpwatch.org
One of the most comprehensive websites containing resources on how to conduct your own research into companies’ activities, though it is California based and does not list the Canadian equivalents to the state-run services providing aid in doing corporate research. Don't miss Loteria” (WTO Bingo) where you can find insights, however vague, on all your favourite big-shots and the "Greenwash Awards" where the philosophy is: "Fun. Everyone should spend a little time each month poking fun at and unmasking the pretentions of corporate polluters. It's good for the spirit." Not to be confused with the equally interesting UK based “Corporate Watch”.
Unite Here www.uniteunion.org
UNITE, formerly know as the Union of Needletrades, Textiles and Industrial Employees), and HERE (Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union), merged this year to form UNITE HERE. Their website has an excellent resource page for stores and companies which offer union made products, some made in Montreal.
Fair Labor Association www.fairlabor.org
Despite not being able to spell “labour” properly, this organisation offers a monitoring system which “holds its participating companies accountable for the conditions under which their products are produced” where licenses are granted to companies which hold certain labour standards. The list is viewable on the website and curiously contains names such as Nike and Adidas, two companies which I’ve consistently found on various boycott lists. But I think it’s a good test of truth – decide for yourself. Also check out http://nikebiz.com if you’re interested in Nike’s response to criticisms of their labour abuses.
Labour Start www.labourstart.org
This lists daily labour-related news in many countries all over the world. Highlights top stories of the week, special reports, as well as hundreds of daily reports about labour issues around the world. Today’s Canada section alone had 15 stories.
This collective based in the Montreal area has a Fair Trade for the 514 campaign and has organised a trip across Canada visiting Wal-Marts in order to begin a dialogue about the effects of Wal-martisation on Canadian small towns.
www.c-e-r-t.org
The Centre for Environmentally Responsible Tourism includes destination packs for 189 destinations where at least 20% of your subscription will be allocated to a specific environmental or cultural project in your holiday destination.
www.tourismrights.org
Indigenous Tourism Rights International, who’s logo reads “Taking Control of the Ways Tourism Affects our Lives” has a rather Spartan website, though they do include contact details and some literature on ecotrourism
www.responsibletravel.com/Copy/Copy101993.htm
Responsible Travel has an article on their site which claims that travel by air is the fastest growing cause of global warming.
www.tourismconcern.org.uk/campaigns/ssss.html
Tourism Concern has a short article entitled “Sun, Sand, Sea and Sweatshops: Making the World’s Biggest Industry Fair”
The World Wildlife Fund
www.panda.org/how_you_can_help/travel.cfm
WWF’s “A Week in Cuba”
www.wwf.ca/en/cuba/default.htm
WWWF’s “Buyer Beware” Guide
www.wwfus.org/buyerbeware
WWF’s Carribean “Buyer Beware” Guide
www.wwfus.org/trade/pubs/caribbean_buyer_beware.pdf
The Pacific People’s Partnership
www.pacificpeoplespartnership.org/takeaction/responsible_tourist.html
Responsible Travel
www.responsibletravel.com
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