A New Mandate, A Shared Mission: Building a More Sustainable Canada Together
Dear Canadians,
In the days following the release of our new Prime Minister’s mandate letter, I’ve been thinking a lot about the role we all play — not just as voters or workers or citizens, but as contributors to Canada’s future.
The letter outlines an ambitious, urgent vision: rebuild a struggling economy, address affordability, invest in skills training, defend our climate, and prepare for a world rapidly transformed by artificial intelligence and global instability. It’s a bold challenge. But it’s also an incredible opportunity to rethink what kind of economy we want, what kind of industries we support, and what kind of future we’re building for the next generation.
At Fashion Takes Action, we see this moment as a turning point. A chance to reshape Canada’s fashion industry into a force for good, one that protects people, restores the planet, and drives innovation in ways that truly serve the public interest.
Why Fashion?
Because it touches us all.
The fashion industry is one of the largest polluting industries in the world. In Canada alone, we send nearly 500,000 tonnes of textiles to landfill every year. At the same time, many of us are buying more, wearing less often, and feeling the pressure of fast fashion that’s built on speed, excess, and hidden harm.
But fashion can also be a powerful solution, if we change how it's made, marketed, and managed.
A Circular Economy That Works for Everyone
The mandate letter emphasizes the need to build one Canadian economy and invest in large-scale infrastructure and innovation. That includes supporting industries that create green jobs, reduce waste, and use our resources more efficiently. This is exactly the kind of future we envision through our Canadian Circular Textiles Consortium (CCTC) – a multi-stakeholder initiative we lead to tackle textile end of life challenges, and build circular systems for reuse, repair, and recycling.
The fashion economy doesn’t have to be linear and wasteful. It can be circular, fair, and clean, but only if we invest in the infrastructure, training, and innovation needed to get us there.
Photos of our CCTC members at this year’s Canadian Circular Economy Summit in Montreal.
Skills for a New Generation
We’re thrilled to see this new government commit to scaling up education and training so that people can step into meaningful careers. For us, that means preparing Canadians, from students to garment workers to entrepreneurs, with the skills to participate in a sustainable fashion future.
Through our My Clothes My World program, we’ve already reached thousands of youth with climate and fashion education. And through employee workshops and industry events, we’re equipping workers and leaders with the tools to put sustainability into practice, whether that’s circular design, traceability, or ESG alignment.
Photos of our in-class workshops with students.
Transparency and Trust Matter More Than Ever
Another theme in the new mandate: protecting Canadians. That doesn’t just mean borders and armed forces, but rather truth in marketing, clarity in sustainability claims, and holding industries accountable.
We recently published a report on greenwashing in fashion, highlighting how many Canadians want to make more sustainable choices but feel confused or misled by vague or exaggerated claims. This is why we’re advocating for stronger policy, more transparency, and better education.
Cover image of our newly released Canadian Consumer Perceptions of Sustainable Fashion & Greenwashing report.
So Where Do We Go From Here?
We believe in a future where the clothes we wear reflect the values we hold. Where economic growth doesn’t come at the cost of the planet. And where Canadian innovation leads the way in building a truly sustainable fashion system.
The new government has laid out a bold vision. Now it’s time for all of us – citizens, companies, communities – to roll up our sleeves and bring that vision to life.
Let’s build a fashion industry that works for Canada. One that’s circular, equitable, and ready for the future.
In partnership,
Kelly Drennan
Founding Executive Director