Miller Thomson partnered with Carson International to present a webinar addressing international trade issues and how to best navigate the changes.
Canadian measures to fight against forced labour and human rights abuses will grow more robust with the introduction of Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act and to amend the Customs Tariff (“the Bill”).
The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) of 2020 includes customs provisions that prohibit the importation of goods produced by means of forced labour or through discriminatory practices. Canada has already amended its Customs Tariff Act to comply with the CUSMA’s requirements by publishing the Canada Border Services Agency’s Memorandum D9-1-6-Goods manufactured or produced by prison or forced labour. The Bill would further reinforce these provisions by harmonizing the definition of forced labour to expressly include child labour.
Canadian businesses would benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of the Bill and its implications. This will reduce forced labour risk as well as mitigate reputational and operational risk. In order to be ready, businesses will need to be proactive when the Bill comes into force.