MBiz

23 MBiz May 2014 However, there is more work to be done at a grassroots level, and the community at large has to get behind the effort. To be classifi ed as a fair-trade city, Portage has to have political support, and council has to use certifi ed fair-trade products. Retailers, restaurants, community groups and schools all have to lend support as well. Hamm says he knows of at least six retailers and one restaurant that sell or use fair-trade products now. "We already have suffi cient support among retailers here in town. The pieces are starting to come together on their own." Portage Collegiate Institute's social justice group supports the project, and in April, Yellowquill School put on an ethical fashion show through the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation. "We partnered with them and gave away fair-trade items," Hamm says. There are benefi ts to businesses that carry the products. Consumers want them, and Hamm says more and more people are asking about them at the thrift store. But there are better reasons to support fair trade. "There's so much poverty, injustice and strife in the world. We have a tremendous amount of buying power in this country. Where we put our money shapes the world around us," he says. "Buying fair-trade goods says that we care about the people who are at the other end of the product." Fair player: Kevin Hamm plans to give fair-trade soccer balls to schools and other groups during the FIFA World Cup. Photo by Fred Greenslade C E N T R A L CENTRAL CARMAN & COMMUNITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE NOTRE-DAME MACGREGOR & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OAKVILLE & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TREHERNE & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEW & NOTEWORTHY >> The Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce has new digs with like-minded neighbours. The chamber offi ces are now located in the same building as Portage Regional Economic Development on Royal Road. >> Habitat for Humanity plans to start construction on two homes in Portage la Prairie this year, in hopes they'll be ready for two families by summer 2015. The Portage organization typically builds one home every two years and raises funds during non-build years. Successful fundraisers include events such as Homes for the Holidays — tours of houses that are decorated for Christmas. Despite being rained out, an annual Ultimate 90-hole Golf Marathon raised more than $23,000 last year, with proceeds split between Habitat and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage la Prairie. Individual and corporate donors have also helped to fi ll coffers. Portage Mutual Insurance presented Habitat with $5,000 rather than hit the golf links last summer. - with fi les from Pat St. Germain MBiz_spring2014.indd Sec1:23 MBiz_spring2014.indd Sec1:23 5/14/14 8:27:20 AM 5/14/14 8:27:20 AM

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