July 21, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

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, announced the launch of public consultations to strengthen Canada’s response to forced labour in global supply chains.

Since 2020, Canada has prohibited the importation of goods produced with forced labour and has since strengthened transparency and accountability. In 2023, the government adopted the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, making Canada one of the first countries in the world to require large companies to publicly report on efforts to address forced labour and child labour in their supply chains.

In December 2024, the Government of Canada announced its intention to introduce legislative measures to strengthen Canada’s ban on imports of goods produced with forced labour. These consultations are another important step toward a stronger, more effective framework for addressing forced labour in global supply chains. The Government of Canada has coordinated consultation efforts focused on addressing forced labour legislation across departments and agencies.

Global Affairs Canada’s consultations will seek stakeholder feedback on the approach, evidence, criteria, and methods for identifying goods suspected of being produced with forced labour. The goal is to ensure the approach is well designed before any goods are listed. Views are being sought, together with the Canada Border Services Agency, on the information importers of listed goods would be required to provide under Bill C-35.

Separately, Employment and Social Development Canada’s Labour Program is consulting on possible supply chain due diligence measures that would require Canadian businesses operating abroad to identify, prevent, address and remediate risks to fundamental labour rights across their operations and supply chains. This includes seeking Canadians’ views on civil liability provisions. These due diligence measures would complement Canada’s forced labour import prohibition.

Forced labour is a serious violation of human rights, and it creates unfair conditions for workers and businesses alike. Canada is committed to promoting respect for human rights, supporting responsible business conduct and ensuring that Canadian markets are not used to facilitate or benefit from forced labour practices.

The consultations will remain open from July 27 to August 21, 2026 on the Consulting with Canadians platform. Canadians are encouraged to share their perspectives and expertise to help strengthen Canada’s response to forced labour in global trade.

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting human rights, supporting fair and open trade, and ensuring that there is a level playing field for Canadian businesses that operate responsibly.