GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 8, 2026 /CNW/ -- 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.

Quotes

"Our trade must reflect our values. Canada is committed to ensuring that our supply chains reflect the values we stand for: fairness, accountability and respect for human dignity. The perspectives shared through these consultations will help inform meaningful action to prevent goods produced with forced labour from entering Canada and support a more responsible and equal global trading system."
– The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs

"No one should profit from the exploitation of workers. As Canada diversifies trade and strengthens supply chains, respect for human rights must remain at the centre of those efforts. The feedback received during these consultations will help us strengthen Canada's approach to addressing forced labour, so we can better protect workers' rights and help create fairness for businesses that operate responsibly."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Quick facts

• Public consultation on measures to address forced labour and labour exploitation in global supply chains ran from July 21 to August 21, 2026. Through roundtables and written submissions, the government sought stakeholders' views on two distinct, yet complementary themes:
  1. Regulatory approach under Bill C-35, An Act respecting the prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labour, led by Global Affairs Canada.
  2. Potential due diligence and civil liability measures to fight labour exploitation in supply chains, led by the Labour Program at Employment and Social Development Canada.
• Canada is the first country in the world to have both supply chain legislation and a forced labour import ban.
  • In June 2026, the government introduced a new, standalone legislative framework (Bill C-35) to strengthen Canada's existing import ban that would establish a list of goods suspected of being produced with forced labour. Importers of listed goods would be required to demonstrate, on request, that their goods are not linked to forced labour. Canada's current import ban was introduced in July 2020 under the Customs Tariff, making Canada one of the first countries to enact legislation of this kind.
  • In force since January 2024, the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act requires certain entities and government institutions to publicly report on their measures to prevent or reduce the risk that forced labour or child labour is used in their supply chains.

Associated links

• What We Heard Report: Public consultation on the regulatory approach under Bill C-35 An Act respecting the prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labour
• What We Heard Report: Public consultation on potential due diligence and civil liability measures to fight labour exploitation in supply chains
• Bill C-35, An Act respecting the prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labour
• News release (July 21, 2026): Canada launches public consultations on measures to strengthen Canada's fight against forced labour in global supply chains
• Forced labour in Canadian supply chains

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada