- On 12 June Canada introduced Bill C-35, the Ban on Importing Goods Made with Forced Labour Act. The Bill was announced by Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- The Bill would establish a standalone forced labour import framework. Canada currently prohibits imports made with forced labour through amendments to the Customs Tariff, which has been in force since 2020. Canada also has supply chain reporting requirements under the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, which came into force in 2024.
- Key proposed measures under the Bill include
- The creation of a public list of high-risk goods. This list would identify goods suspected of being made with forced labour, including information on the relevant producer, country, or region.
- A new disclosure requirement for importers of listed goods. Importers may be required to provide information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Failure to provide the required information could result in an import prohibition.
- The Bill would create joint liability for importers and owners for the costs of detention, storage, transport, and disposal of prohibited goods.
- The Bill does not specify whether it would replace the current forced labour import ban or operate alongside the existing framework. It follows public consultations launched by the Canadian government in 2024 on measures to strengthen the import ban. It also comes amid renewed US pressure on Canada to strengthen forced labour import controls.
- The Bill is currently at first reading. It must pass through both Houses of Parliament and receive Royal Assent before becoming law.
- 11 June: The Canadian government also announced the elimination of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE). CORE was created in 2019 to address complaints against Canadian companies relating to alleged labour abuses in foreign supply chains or overseas operations. The office has been heavily criticised as ineffective.
- We will include a more detailed analysis in our upcoming RBC 1 – Developing Policy and Litigation brief.