The global upswing in BDS activity has spread to Canada, where Mountain Equipment Co-op, major outdoor equipment retailer, is set to consider a motion to boycott Israeli products at its next annual general meeting. Although it is unclear who will introduce the motion, the idea of the boycott has generated a significant amount of public support across the country.
As a company that prides itself on its ethical guidelines, conscious consumers are arguing that the company has a duty to support the boycott. With three million members across Canada, and with its iconic status in the country, a Mountain Equipment Co-op boycott could prove extremely effective in igniting similar campaigns elsewhere.
However, even if the motion does not pass, the fact of its consideration is in itself important, as it increases awareness and debate about the BDS movement in Canada.