Consultation on labour exploitation in global supply chains
From: Employment and Social Development Canada
Notice
This webpage provides information on the 2019 Government of Canada consultations on possible measures to address labour exploitation, including child and forced labour, in supply chains. These consultations were held in-person, and through an online survey, from May 2019 to June 2019. The What We Heard Report provides a summary of the feedback received from interested parties during these consultations.
Stakeholders and members of the public were provided an opportunity to review the What We Heard Report following its publication and share any additional feedback by e-mail between March 11 and April 8, 2022. In particular, input was welcomed on the key elements that often form part of supply chain legislation, including:
- the scope of potential legislation (e.g. human rights focused legislation, forced labour focused legislation)
- the type of requirements for businesses (e.g. due diligence obligations, transparency reporting)
- the entities that would be captured by the legislation and any potential flexibilities that should be considered (e.g. threshold requirements, phased-in approach, flexibilities for smaller businesses)
- the approach to enforcement (e.g. potential penalties, options for remedy) and governance (e.g. governance body and its powers), and
- any non-legislative tools and other measures that are needed to support entities in meeting their obligations under the legislation
Current status: Consultation closed
This consultation ran from May 17, 2019 to June 30, 2019 and March 11, 2022 to April 8, 2022.
We thank everyone who participated.
We asked for stakeholder feedback on possible ways to address labour exploitation in global supply chains. This first phase of consultations responded to the 2018 report by the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development entitled A Call to Action: Ending the Use of all Forms of Child Labour in Supply Chains.
In addition, further to the Government's commitment to introduce legislation to eradicate forced labour from Canadian supply chains and ensure that Canadian businesses operating abroad do not contribute to human rights abuses, stakeholders were invited to submit written comments on the potential key elements of supply chain legislation between March 11, 2022 and April 8, 2022. The Government will continue to consider the results of consultations moving forward.
Consultation details
We sought information from stakeholders to help determine how to address labour exploitation in global supply chains, which could include:
- child labour
- forced labour, and
- other human rights abuses
Who was the focus of this consultation
Everyone was welcome to participate, however we were particularly interested in receiving feedback from key stakeholders, including unions, businesses, experts, investors and civil society organizations.
What the consultation was about
The feedback we received will help inform any future legislation, or policy initiatives, on supply chains in Canada.
What we heard
Final reports
Related information
Contact us
Interested media can contact media relations
Send us your questions about this consultation.
Privacy Notice Statement
Please read our privacy notice statement for consultation and engagement activities.
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