Canada needs a stronger forced labour import ban
Canada imports CAD27 billion in at-risk goods annually, highlighting the urgent need for stronger forced labour import bans to address human rights abuses in global supply chains and combat modern slavery.
Forced labour import bans are a powerful tool for combating human rights abuses in global supply chains.
When part of a ‘smart mix’ of measures against forced labour, they encourage behavioural change in companies as they could lose access to key markets and face financial impacts.
However, Canada’s forced labour import ban remains largely unenforced, undermining its potential to address these abuses.
The scale of forced labour in global supply chains
Nearly two-thirds of all forced labour cases are linked to global supply chains, according to our latest Global Slavery Index.
Canada imports over CAD27 billion annually in goods at risk of forced labour, with electronics accounting for over half of these imports.
Garments, gold, textiles, and sugarcane are also significant contributors to this alarming total.
Without consistent and robust enforcement, the legislative intent behind forced labour import bans cannot be realised.
Why Canada’s import ban falls short
Canada’s current forced labour import ban lacks effective enforcement.
Barriers to enforcement make the law ineffective and allow products made with forced labour to enter Canadian markets despite the ban.
For a forced labour ban to succeed, it must align with global best practices and empower enforcement agencies to act decisively.
Recommendations for meaningful action
To make Canada’s forced labour import ban effective, the following actions are recommended:
• Adopt a stronger forced labour import ban that aligns with global best practices.
• Enhance collaboration by sharing information with like-minded countries to ensure no safe harbour exists for products made with forced labour.
• Place responsibility on importers of high-risk goods to map their supply chains and establish clear criteria to define unacceptable sources.
• Engage with lived experience experts to ensure measures are appropriate and will have the desired impacts.
• Encourage a ‘duty to disengage’ for businesses to stop working with suppliers when human rights due diligence is not feasible.
• Equip customs officers with sufficient powers and clear guidelines to investigate and act on suspected forced labour cases.
• Criminalise forced labour as a distinct crime in line with international standards, separate from human trafficking.
Strengthening Canada’s commitment to human rights in global supply chains
The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights emphasise the importance of a ‘smart mix’ of measures to ensure business respect for human rights.
For Canada, this means removing barriers to enforcement and ensuring its laws have the teeth to protect vulnerable workers worldwide.
Without action, Canada risks becoming a safe haven for forced labour products. It’s time for the Canadian government to act decisively and lead the way in fighting modern slavery.
