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.  

Purchasing on behalf of a large group? Please contact action@fairtrade.ca. 

SCHEDULE

Access the full program here.

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 meet & greet will take place at Hargrave Street Market on Thursday, April 30 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Check out the menus here. 

Location

• Conference sessions will take place at the University of Winnipeg’s Riddell Hall.
  Address: 385 Spence Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2R6  
• 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.  

The main entrance at 385 Spence Street is fully wheelchair accessible.

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.  

Want to volunteer at the conference?

Volunteers are asked to donate at least 3 hours of their time and receive a free conference ticket, which includes: 

• Access to the full conference 
• Entry to the gala night and awards ceremony at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights 
• Meals (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 coffee/snack breaks, and gala dinner) 

This is a great opportunity to hear inspiring presentations from fair trade thought leaders and connect with fellow advocates, all while contributing to the event. Interested? Fill out this form!

Support fund  

To promote local youth participation in the conference, a local youth support fund has been set up. Manitoba residents aged 30 years and under can benefit from a heavily discounted conference ticket, offered for $10, which will include access to all daytime conference sessions (please note that this ticket does not include access to the cocktail dinner and awards ceremony at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights). When registering, select Local Youth Admission.

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  

Spread the word!

Attending the conference? Use our toolkit containing social media visuals and suggested captions, plus a printable poster, email template, and email signature visual, to share with your network!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS!

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