Hey everyone! For the pageant, everyone chooses a platform, which is something they believe in deeply. I'd like to share my platform with you! It is promoting fair trade, and fair trade products. Just how education is crucial in stopping cycles of poverty, so is providing people with the means to earn a decent wage for their labour. In Canada, we are incredibly fortunate to have a minimum wage which is required to be paid to Canadian workers. This minimum wage varies between $8.00-$10.00 per hour, depending on the province/territory. But unfortunately other countries in the world do not have a minimum wage, or it is not enforced strongly enough. So workers in countries like India, China, Vietnam, Haiti, and many others are sometimes paid as little as $1 a day. This is hardly enough money to buy a meal! Let alone pay for necessary items such as a house, clothes, clean water, or school. Possibly the worst effect of this is the fact that because parents aren't earning enough to support their families, their children also need to work in order to put food on the table. In turn, these children are working, instead of receiving an education. Every child has the right to an education, and every worker has the right to earn enough to support themselves, and their family, and in some countries, this basic right is not being honoured! But don't worry, there is a way to stop this! Companies, such as Global Exchange, Dean's Beans, Nectar of Life, 10 000 Villages, and many more are fair trade companies. This means that they pay their workers a decent wage. These companies are providing us with a way to stop cycles of poverty, now it's up to US! By supporting fair trade companies, you can make a huge difference! So, the next time you are buying some chocolate, coffee, or even a gift for a loved one look into purchasing fair trade items!