Canada proposes Bill C-35 to ban forced labor goods imports
Canada introduced Bill C-35 to tighten bans on imports made with forced labor.
Why it matters: This legislation raises the bar for suppliers and companies, ensuring stricter compliance on ethical sourcing. It impacts Canadian and international businesses by aligning with global anti-forced labor efforts.
- Bill C-35 introduced June 12, 2026, to strengthen Canada’s forced labor import ban
- Requires importers to prove goods aren’t made with forced labor and creates a public list of linked products/regions
- Since 2020, 50 shipments detained over forced labor concerns; 2 confirmed with forced labor (2024 textiles, 2025 frozen seafood)
- U.S. proposed 10% tariff on Canadian goods citing insufficient enforcement of existing laws
On June 12, 2026, Canada’s federal parliament introduced Bill C-35, titled "An Act respecting the prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labour." The bill aims to enhance Canada's existing framework to prevent goods made with forced labor from entering Canadian markets.
The legislation proposes a public list identifying products and regions associated with forced labor, imposing a legal obligation on importers to demonstrate that their goods are free from such practices. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Rob Oliphant emphasized this as "a made-in-Canada solution to an international problem," and highlighted the importance of preventing "dumping of cheaper materials, cheaper goods into Canada that are produced with forced labour."
Canada’s move comes amid growing international pressure, particularly from the United States. On June 2, 2026, the U.S. Trade Representative determined Canada’s enforcement of forced labor import prohibitions was insufficient, proposing a 10% tariff on certain Canadian goods.
Enforcement records from the Canada Border Services Agency show that since 2020, authorities have intercepted 50 shipments flagged for forced labor concerns. Among these, two shipments were confirmed to contain goods produced with forced labor: a 2024 shipment of textiles and a 2025 shipment of frozen seafood. This data highlights the ongoing challenges Canada faces in controlling its import supply chain.
While the specific enforcement mechanisms of Bill C-35 remain to be detailed, the legislation signals a stronger, more transparent approach. Its eventual passage will likely affect importers, suppliers, and companies needing to comply with heightened due diligence requirements, aligning Canada with broader international efforts to eradicate forced labor practices from global trade.
By the numbers:
- 50 shipments intercepted by Canada Border Services Agency since 2020 over forced labor concerns
- 2 shipments confirmed produced using forced labor: textiles (2024) and frozen seafood (2025)
- 10% tariff proposed by U.S. on Canadian goods due to inadequate enforcement
Yes, but: Details about enforcement mechanisms and the timeline for Bill C-35's passage are still pending.
What's next: Await parliamentary debate and passage dates for Bill C-35; monitor impacts on trade and compliance practices.