Québec Securities Regulator Provides Guidance On Modern Slavery Disclosure Requirements

Modern slavery - an umbrella term used to describe exploitive labour practices such as slavery, forced labour, bonded labour and human trafficking - has been the subject of international regulatory developments and increasing investor interest. Now the securities regulator in Québec (the Autorité des marchés financiers, or the AMF) has published a notice that provides guidance to public companies on disclosure requirements relating to modern slavery.

Gowling WLG Focus

The purpose of the AMF's notice is to provide guidance to issuers on existing disclosure requirements as they pertain to modern slavery issues, as well as to share the expectations of staff of the AMF regarding that disclosure. The notice makes it clear that no new legal disclosure requirements are being created, nor are existing disclosure requirements being modified. However, this guidance is a positive first step from a Canadian securities regulator and should assist Canadian issuers in enhancing