Ethics are stupid

I know there is significant debate on the efficacy of Fair Trade but last year at the 3rd beach concession I was delighted to see an attempt at alleviating the inequities of global commerce by the Vancouver Parks Board via their decision to purchase from suppliers who comply with international labour and human rights standards. Sure it was a drop in the pond but it did well to ameliorate the White Man's guilt brewing inside of me every time I bought a coffee.

The parks board is already subject to scrutiny after the suspension of Al De Genova for suggesting a possible conflict of interest regarding fellow NPAer and Park Board Chairperson Heather Holden's involvement in the proposal to expand the Vancouver Aquarium when she in fact sits on its board of directors. Not to mention the dismissal of a public referendum regarding whales in captivity.

Now it seems they feel no obligation to act ethically, as on June 12th they voted to bypass the Ethical Purchasing Program. So although some say Fair Trade and ethical purchasing is a small step towards a much greater flaw in the global economic system, if we can't even take that small step then we are left standing dumbstruck and flat-footed.

"We at the park Board are supposed to be leaders, yet the NPA have put us back in the position where we no longer know if the chocolate we buy comes from children slaving in African cocoa fields. Through EPP Vancouver was putting ethics into action. Now with the NPA there's a lot of talk, but no action." -Spencer Herbert, COPE.