QUESTION PERIOD — International Trade
Import Prohibition on Goods Produced by Forced Labour
March 26, 2021
My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
The Toronto Star is reporting that since the act was amended to stop imports of products made with forced labour nine months ago, Canadian border officers have yet to seize any such products.
However, it is common knowledge that goods imported from Xinjiang, which are often manufactured by the Uighur Muslim minority, could well be produced by forced labour, in particular tomatoes and cotton products.
Our American neighbours have blacklists. When will Canadian border officers start seizing products and when will we get data on imports?
Thank you for the question.
The government is seriously concerned about the evidence and reports of human rights violations in China against the Uighur people and other ethnic minorities. The government expects Canadian businesses around the world to maintain the highest ethical standards on human rights. That is why, in 2019, the government appointed the very first Canadian ombudsperson for responsible enterprise to promote Canada’s fundamental values around the world and carry out our trade agenda.
Two weeks ago, on March 15, the ombudsperson launched an online complaints process to take complaints regarding possible human rights abuses arising from the operations abroad of Canadian companies.
Since July 2020, Canadians companies that source directly or indirectly from Xinjiang or from entities relying on Uighur labour have been required to sign an integrity declaration before gaining access to certain government services and trade support. Specifically, the declaration acknowledges that the company is not directly or indirectly sourcing products or services from a supplier implicated in forced labour or other human rights violations associated with the repression of the Uighur people or other ethnic minorities.
Thank you for your answer, Senator Gold.
As you know, the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise has been harshly criticized for not having enough power to act effectively. Given the sanctions that you announced against China, can the Government of Canada guarantee that it will not import any goods made with forced labour, especially the forced labour of Uighurs?
Thank you for that question, Senator Miville-Dechêne. I’m not able to answer your question right now, but I will look into it and get back to you.
