WHERE RIGHTS TAKE ROOT

Canada’s 11th National Fair Trade Conference  

Join the fair trade movement at Canada’s 11th National Fair Trade Conference hosted at the University of Winnipeg and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on May 1st and 2nd, 2026. 

Under the theme “Where Rights Take Root”, participants will explore the role of fair trade in defending human rights and democracy, elevating farmers’ voices, and shaping a trade system grounded in equity, justice, and human dignity. This theme invites attendees to imagine—and help cultivate—a world where fairness is foundational, and rights are nurtured from the ground up.  

Hurry, early-bird admission rate is only available until March 15th, 2026! 
Purchasing on behalf of a large group? Please contact action@fairtrade.ca. 

SCHEDULE

We suggest arriving on April 30th, or early on May 1st. We also suggest booking your travel plans well in advance to secure the best rates.

A pre-conference activity will take place on Thursday, April 30. More details to come.

Location

• Conference sessions will take place at the University of Winnipeg’s Riddell Hall.
  Address: 411 Spence St, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2R8  
• The Fairtrade Awards night will take place at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
  Address: 85 Israel Asper Wy, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0L5

Accessibility  

The National Fair Trade Conference aims to create a barrier-free and inclusive environment to ensure that all attendees, regardless of their needs, can fully participate in and benefit from the event.  

Additionally, catered meals can accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. Attendees will be asked about dietary accommodations during registration.  

Volunteers, Conference staff and venue staff will be available throughout the event to support attendees who need assistance navigating the venue.   

Please contact action@fairtrade.ca should you require any accommodation or if you have any questions regarding accessibility for the Conference.  

Support Fund  

To make the Conference even more inclusive, a support fund has been set up to help cover some travel and accommodation expenses. If you would like to attend the Conference but cannot afford to do so, please contact us at action@fairtrade.ca before March 15th, 2026.  

Accommodations 

Recommended hotels: 

• UWinnipeg Downtown Hostel
  - 6-minute walk from the main conference venue (Riddell Hall @ University of Winnipeg) 

• The Inn at the Forks
  - 6-minute walk from cocktail dinner and awards night venue (Canadian Museum for Human Rights) 

Sustainability 

We have committed to the following actions: 

• Offer a wide choice of vegetarians and vegan foods on our menus, as well as many Fairtrade certified products 
• Reduce paper consumption as much as possible by offering a 100% digital version of the event program, and eliminate the use of single-use plastic during the event  
• Encourage the participation of as many people as possible by offering lower rates and support to participants who need it 

In addition, the 11th National Fair Trade Conference has been designated a Fair Trade Event.  

Thanks to your support, we can amplify the impact of our sustainability and inclusivity efforts. Here are some of the actions we encourage you to take: 

• Bring your own reusable water bottle and/or travel mug to refill on site 
• Be aware of the event’s code of conduct and make sure you respect it at all times 
• Use sustainable modes of transportation to get to the event