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ARTICLE · 11 MAY 2023

Canada's Modern Slavery Act: What Businesses Need To Know

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
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Modern slavery – specifically forced labour – is a global challenge. The International Labour Organization estimates that 28 million people worldwide were in forced labour in 2021.

CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Brad Wall
Brad Wall
Alan Kenigsberg
Alan Kenigsberg
John Valley
John Valley
Malcolm Aboud
Malcolm Aboud
Danielle Chu
Danielle Chu
Chelsea Rubin
Chelsea Rubin
Sarah Firestone
Sarah Firestone
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Modern slavery – specifically forced labour – is a global challenge. The International Labour Organization estimates that 28 million people worldwide were in forced labour in 2021. This form of modern slavery occurs in almost every country in the world, and cuts across ethnic, cultural and religious lines. Canada is far from immune from this issue. According to a World Vision's 2023 Supply Chain Risk Report, the value of Canadian imports of everyday products – like electronics and clothing – that are at risk of being produced by child or forced labour increased to $48 billion as of 2021. The surge in imports of "risky" goods has been driven by climate change, conflict, COVID-19 and inflation.

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