Forced labour is a serious abuse of human rights and a source of unfair competition, allowing producers to reduce costs through the exploitation of workers. As Canada strengthens its economy and expands trade opportunities, the Government of Canada remains committed to promoting responsible business practices and ensuring that its supply chains reflect the highest standards of integrity.
Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, released two What We Heard reports on forced labour. The reports summarize feedback received through public consultations on newly proposed measures to strengthen Canada's existing forced labour import ban through Bill C‑35, An Act respecting the prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labour, and on possible supply chain due diligence and civil liability measures.
The consultations focused on ways to strengthen Canada's approach to prohibiting the import of products of forced labour as well as possible measures to ensure that Canadian businesses operating abroad address labour exploitation in their operations and supply chains. The reports reflect input from Canadians and stakeholders, such as labour associations, industry organizations, civil society organizations, academia and businesses.
The report on strengthening Canada's forced labour import ban through Bill C-35 highlights broad support for strengthening Canada's ability to prevent goods produced with forced labour from entering the Canadian market. Stakeholders called for a risk-based, transparent and predictable approach with clear guidance for businesses and opportunities for recourse. Stakeholders noted that regulated products should be aligned with international partners to maximize impact and effectiveness. They also emphasized the importance of an effective regime that addresses forced labour risks while providing mechanisms to allow for procedural fairness for importers.
The report on potential due diligence and civil liability measures to fight labour exploitation in supply chains found support for introducing legislation that would require certain entities to identify, prevent and mitigate risks and adverse impacts of forced labour in their international operations or supply chains, and to report on how they address them. Stakeholders broadly agreed that any potential legislation should complement measures proposed under Bill C-35 to strengthen the ban, ensuring alignment and avoiding duplication. Views were divided on including a provision that would allow victims of forced labour to file claims in Canadian courts against entities that would have failed to conduct due diligence.
These consultations were an important step in Canada's efforts to strengthen its approach to address labour exploitation in global supply chains. The feedback captured in these reports will be carefully reviewed and considered as the government advances legislative and regulatory measures.
