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ARTICLE · 21 FEBRUARY 2020

Modern Slavery Legislation Introduced In Canadian Parliament (Again)

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On February 5, 2020, Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne introduced Bill S-211 into the Senate, which if passed would enact the proposed Modern Slavery Act.

CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Stephen Pike
Stephen Pike
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On February 5, 2020, Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne introduced Bill S-211 into the Senate, which if passed would enact the proposed Modern Slavery Act. The Bill proposes mandatory modern slavery disclosure by companies in Canada or doing business in Canada, and an amendment to the Customs Tariff to prohibit the importation of forced labour and child labour-made goods.

Unlike many jurisdictions, including many of Canada's major trading partners (e.g. U.K., Australia and California), Canada currently has no modern slavery disclosure legislation. Nor is there any general restriction on the importation into Canada of goods produced by forced or child labour — or any law barring the procurement by Canadian governments of goods or services produced by forced or child labour.

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