The board’s Central Services Committee has asked staff to look further into fair labour issues, including the worldwide use of slave labour and forced child labour, in relation to creating a policy.

Student trustee Jonathan Scott asked the board to look into the matter after the board’s Student Senate requested a policy.

“I’m glad this recommendation is here. As a student, I don’t want my clothing for athletic wear or for a club ... to have been made by someone who should be a student,” Scott said.

So far, universities, colleges and some Catholic school boards in Canada have adopted fair labour policies. The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board uses fair labour companies for all its uniforms and athletic wear, but it does not have a written policy.

SCDS superintendent Carol McAulay, who has experience with such policies working at a university and a Catholic board, said board staff needs more time to look into the issue.

“The reason we are suggesting more information is needed is that there are no public boards yet that have been involved in this sort of policy,” she said. “And the debate rages as to which is the appropriate way to go to not to support these practices.”

During an initial discussion on the topic at the Central Services Committee meeting April 1, trustees raised concerns on how they could determine what was “fair” and if these purchasing practices could carry over to other items such as building materials and possibly creating increased cost.

Trustees voted unanimously to bring the issue back to the committee by November 2008.