QUESTION PERIOD — Environment and Climate Change
Impacts of Fast Fashion
December 10, 2024
My next question is about another topic.
The Retail Council of Quebec is calling on the federal government to impose penalties on Chinese platforms, such as Shein and Temu, that sell fast fashion and compete unfairly with Quebec retailers.
France’s National Assembly unanimously passed a bill that will impose penalties equalling 50% of the value of the product and redistribute the funds to local sustainable clothing producers. What will our government do to restore healthy competition rather than letting fast fashion, which is polluting our planet, take over?
Thank you for your question. The government launched a consultation to solicit feedback on the development of a roadmap to address plastic waste and create a policy for the textile and apparel sector, building on the early interest and engagement from key stakeholders in the sector.
The consultation document suggests a waste-management approach that keeps textiles and apparel in the circular economy for as long as possible. Prioritization will focus on the redesign, reuse, repair, and recycling of products over energy recovery and landfilling.
I will come back to my main point.
Shein offers dresses for under $10. How is that possible? Shein has already confirmed cases of child exploitation among its suppliers. An investigation also revealed that the Chinese fast fashion giant uses cotton from Xinjiang, where the Uighurs are put into forced labour.
Beyond our fine speeches on human rights, what meaningful action are we taking?
Thank you for the question. The Canada Border Services Agency is stepping up inspections, adding more detector dogs and using new emerging technologies to prevent the trafficking of drugs, firearms and illicit goods.
As the Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, said, the government is making the necessary investments in law enforcement agencies to ensure that they have the tools that they need.
