SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

All BEDI pieces are thoughtfully made in small batches in Montreal, Quebec, with adherence to the high workplace safety standards and labour laws here in Canada.

We expect adherence to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Standards from all our suppliers. This includes upholding principles such as freedom of association, effective recognition of the right to engage in collective bargaining, the prohibition of forced, compulsory, or child labor, and the elimination of discrimination in employment. Every supplier is required to sign our Code of Conduct, which explicitly addresses these standards. In instances where these expectations are not met, we collaborate with the supplier to facilitate improvements. If resolution is not achieved within a reasonable timeframe, we reserve the right to terminate the relationship. Regular visits to our factories throughout the year ensure the ongoing assessment of safe and healthy working conditions for employees and verify the supplier's compliance with our Code of Conduct

All BEDI employees and contractors are paid a living wage. We do not have any interns. All of our suppliers pay significantly above minimum wage. However, our commitment to using the highest quality materials and manufacturing exclusively in Canada, means that our suppliers operate in some of the most expensive cities in the world. As a result, while all our suppliers pay their employees at least 25% above minimum wage, some are between one - three dollars per hour short of meeting the living wage threshold. 

For example, in Toronto, the minimum wage as of January 2024 is $16.55 per hour, and the living wage as calculated by an independent organization is $25.05. Our Toronto-based suppliers pay the people who work on our products a minimum of $20 per hour, and most are paid at least $23 per hour. Last year, the living wage in Toronto was $23.15, but rapid inflation has led to the jump to $25.05 in 2024.

We recognize that a living wage is important. We are proud to provide that for all our employees and contractors. However, it is important to us to manufacture everything in Canada, which means higher labour costs compared to paying a living wage for overseas production. We are committed to working with our suppliers to adapt to the rapid inflation of the past few years, including increasing wages as the cost of living increases.

As all BEDI products are made in small batches locally, we have a personal relationship with every person who works on our creations. We know all our talented tailors by name, and when it comes time to bring a design to life, we don’t send drawings overseas to a factory we’ve never visited. Our founder Inder can pop his latest design sketches into his backpack, hop on his bike and take them over to our production facilities within five kilometers of our studios in the Mile End. BEDI is built on a foundation of warmth, respect and appreciation for old school craftsmanship. The end result is a collection of high-quality products that are made to last a lifetime.

Beyond our immediate team members, it is important to us to only work with suppliers that meet our high standards for environmental and social sustainability. We have a Code of Conduct that we expect all suppliers to adhere to. Our founder visits our Montreal-based suppliers weekly, and our Toronto-based suppliers twice per year. One of the materials we use in our designs is ECONYL®, a highly sustainable and durable fabric from Italian textile manufacturer Aquafil. In addition to their sustainable practices in creating this material, Aquafil is “committed to maintaining high standards of employee safety and wellbeing, both inside and outside the working environment.” Although they are based in Italy, and it is not feasible for a small business to visit, we have regular communication with Aquafil, and they have many stringent certifications that confirm their commitment to safe and ethical production.[1] We thoroughly researched all of our suppliers before carefully choosing them, and we have never had an issue nor a breech of the Code of Conduct.

Throughout our design and manufacturing process, we support the local community by reducing waste from scrap yards and keeping our environmental footprint minimal by working with materials that are close to Montreal whenever possible.

One advantage we have, is that as many of our materials are upcycled and recycled, it’s easier to keep track of our direct supply chain. For instance, we aren’t manufacturing new straps for every bag– Inder personally goes to scrap yards in Quebec to cut seat belts out of old cars, which are then used in our bag and coat designs. 

Sustainability is multifaceted. You can’t have environmental sustainability without social responsibility. We are proud of the work we do from an environmental standpoint, but we are especially proud to be able to work with and support so many wonderful, talented, local people, who understand the BEDI promise, and make this brand possible.