World News & Stories

What is Bill S-211? Why is it key in fighting child labour across the world? Learn more about what Canada is doing to fight child labour—and how you can help.

What is child labour and what is Canada doing about it? Get the facts on what causes child labour, the global supply chain and what you can do to help stop it.

Holiday shopping can be more enjoyable when you buy from brands that support fair labour practices. Check out products certified by Fairtrade Canada.

Find out how coffee travels from a child's hands to major coffee brands.

Despite some progress, more than three million children work to support their families. Read Oscar, Elijah and Fernando's stories in their own words.

With an average of 20 homicides per day, San Pedro Sula, Honduras is one of the most dangerous cities on the planet. Eight-year-old Juan shares his story in his own words.

COVID-19 has the potential to increase child labour risks in multiples ways. Here are three ways you can help.

The products we buy are sourced all over the world. Without fair trade, we could be contributing to the exploitation of workers – including children. Learn more.

Nine-year-old Shahid started working nights with his dad when his parents could no longer afford school fees. He's angry and scared about his future, but what choice does he have? 

Makeup is a pretty important part of my everyday life. So when I found out that the glowy products I used could be made with child labour, I needed to find out why- and what I could do about it.

Buying cruelty-free makeup may be a no-brainer. Then last year I found out that the “cruelty-free” products I was using might not be cruelty free for children.

Olivia wants the best for her two children, Julio and Tito. Julio wants to be a teacher one day and it is Olivia’s dream to see her son achieve his goal.

Robert’s favourite video game is League of Legends. Like most 14-year-old boys, he could spend countless hours playing it. But there’s one big thing that sets Robert apart from other boys his age — he makes charcoal for a living. 
 

Check out this year's seasonal snapshots: World Vision Canada's highlight reel!

This World Day to End Child Labour is a poignant one for me. It’s been over three years since I started living as a more conscious consumer, by educating myself about child labour in the products I buy and use. That all started with a little blue dress I bought in England.

Meet Melvin. He's only 11, but he says he can't remember the last time he played as a child. As a worker on a coffee farm, Melvin let go of childhood a long time ago.

Young Sonia works long hours every day, hoping to make enough money for a few vegetables. She’s homeless and sleeps wherever she can, covered only in a thin sheet. Recently, she’s been unable to see at night – a symptom of malnutrition – and fears going blind altogether. Not to mention all the other reasons a girl on her own has to be afraid of.

Srey Neang packs 4000 heavy bricks onto a truck every single day. It’s backbreaking labour, work not meant for a 13-year-old girl. In fact, she spends more time working than she does in school, making her dream of becoming a teacher seem like an unlikely reality. 

In 2013, the Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh, killing more than 1,100 people. Many workers had received an ultimatum that day after complaining about dangerous cracks in the structure: go to work now or lose your pay. In the days that followed, Canadians watched in horror as information was released linking some of their favourite clothing brands with garments being sewn in that very building.

What started in 1985 as a way to shake the cobwebs off after New Year’s Eve has now grown into a family affair for the Courage clan. Gaye Courage, the “Queen Polar Bear” and mother to Co-Founders Todd and Trent, was the one who instigated the whole thing when she told her boys to “go jump in the lake”. Today, Gaye joins the family on New Year’s Day to take part on the largest charitable polar bear dip in Canada.