Backgrounder
Retail Council of Canada and its members have been actively involved in the issue of responsible trade for a number of years. RCC believes that along with its retail members, it can make a difference throughout the distribution channel — that is, with manufacturers and importers — by insisting that responsible trading standards be met as a term of doing business.
RCC has published Responsible Trading Guidelines (RTG). The guidelines reflect the four fundamental human rights as articulated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) including the prohibition of forced labour, child labour and discrimination. The right to freedom of association has been protected where lawful.
As an industry association, RCC understands that it could not recommend standards it believes our members could not achieve. China remains the largest international trading partner for the Canadian retail sector. It does not, even as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), protect the right to freedom of association. To require our members to adopt a code where this right was unqualified would mean they would have to either stop buying from China or expose themselves to claims of misrepresentation. Neither of these options was acceptable.
The Responsible Trading Guidelines serve as a benchmark for companies, which they may choose to exceed. A number of our member companies have adopted them and, in some instances, surpassed them. They also spend millions of dollars to ensure that their suppliers are in compliance with their voluntary codes.
Retailers are strong supporters of liberalized trade and believe that the best way to support developing countries is through responsible trade. We believe that the process is evolutionary not revolutionary and are committed to making a difference.