Amidst increasing awareness of Canadian ties to forced labour overseas, Ottawa is being urged to make better use of legal tools to attack the problem. In this brief, we take stock of Canada’s existing legislation and policies related to forced labour in international supply chains, and how they are — or aren’t — being enforced.
Parliament will soon vote on Bill S-211, a corporate reporting law meant to “fight” forced and child labour in supply chains. Experts who’ve weighed in on the law have said it will do little, if anything, to achieve that aim.
Forced labour is widespread in the global production of dozens upon dozens of categories of goods, many of them imported into and sold in great quantities in Canada.
Above Ground has submitted the following brief to the parliamentary committee studying Bill S-211, which would require companies to report on the steps they’re taking, if any, to address the risk of forced labour and child labour in their supply chains.
Above Ground works to ensure that companies based in Canada or supported by the Canadian state respect human rights and the environment worldwide. It is a project of MakeWay, a national charity that builds partnerships and solutions to help nature and communities thrive together.
Above Ground c/o MakeWay
400-163 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1H5
438-992-5163
