Canada Introduces New Bill to Crack Down on Forced-Labour Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure

The Canadian government has unveiled new legislation aimed at strengthening the country’s efforts to block products made through forced labour from entering its market, as pressure mounts from the United States over trade enforcement standards.

The proposed legislation, Bill C-35, was introduced in the House of Commons on Friday by parliamentary secretary Rob Oliphant on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who was accompanying Prime Minister Mark Carney during meetings in Paris.

The bill seeks to overhaul Canada’s current import enforcement system by shifting the burden of proof onto importers. Under the proposed framework, businesses importing goods from regions identified as high-risk for forced labour would be required to demonstrate that their products were not produced through exploitative labour practices.

Speaking on Parliament Hill, Oliphant described the measure as a uniquely Canadian response to a growing international concern. He said the government would establish a public list of products and regions linked to forced labour, based on intelligence gathered through diplomatic missions and other government agencies.

The legislation comes as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump considers imposing additional tariffs on countries it believes are failing to adequately enforce bans on imports connected to forced labour. Canada is among the nations under scrutiny.

According to Oliphant, the new approach would replace the current system, which largely relies on border officials inspecting shipments. Instead, authorities would focus on targeted enforcement using a risk-based list of products and regions.

The government argues that the changes would bring Canada closer to the enforcement models used by Mexico and emerging regulations within the European Union. Officials say the goal is to prevent goods produced through exploitation from being sold in Canada and to stop unfair competition from low-cost products linked to forced labour.

While the bill has been introduced, it is unlikely to advance quickly. Parliament is expected to adjourn for the summer next week, and the government has not announced when the new system could become operational.

Conservative MP Michael Barrett questioned the government’s timing, noting that Liberal ministers had previously claimed the existing framework was effectively preventing forced-labour products from entering the country.

Oliphant rejected suggestions that the legislation was solely a response to American pressure, arguing that reforms had been promised before recent trade tensions emerged. He said the initiative had been under consideration since late 2024.

Canada amended its customs laws in 2020 under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) to prohibit imports made wholly or partly through forced labour. However, critics and international observers have argued that enforcement has remained weak.

Recent findings from the Office of the United States Trade Representative cited concerns over Canada’s enforcement record. The report highlighted that only a small number of shipments had been intercepted since the rules were introduced.

Canada Border Services Agency data shows that 50 shipments have been detained over forced-labour concerns since 2020. Of those, only two were ultimately confirmed to have been produced using forced labour and denied entry into Canada one involving textiles in 2024 and another involving frozen seafood in 2025.

Prime Minister Carney recently acknowledged shortcomings in enforcement, stating that while Canada has a strong legal framework, practical implementation has not always matched expectations. He pointed to structural and resource-related challenges that have limited the effectiveness of existing measures.

The proposed bill would also transfer primary responsibility for enforcing forced-labour import restrictions from the Public Safety Minister to the Foreign Affairs Minister, reflecting a broader international and human-rights focus.

The government’s broader human-rights strategy has also faced criticism following Carney’s announcement that Ottawa would eliminate the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, an office created to investigate allegations of human-rights abuses linked to Canadian companies operating abroad.

Human-rights organizations condemned the decision, arguing that the office should have been strengthened rather than dismantled. Advocacy groups warned that eliminating the watchdog could weaken accountability mechanisms for companies accused of benefiting from forced labour and other abuses.

The issue has become increasingly sensitive in recent years due to allegations of forced labour involving Uyghur minorities in China’s Xinjiang region. While Canada and several Western allies have raised concerns, Beijing continues to deny the accusations, insisting its policies are aimed at economic development and counterterrorism.

As Parliament prepares for its summer break, Bill C-35 is expected to become a focal point in Canada’s ongoing efforts to balance trade relations, human-rights commitments, and growing international pressure to strengthen enforcement against forced labour in global supply chains.