Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

International Trade

In question period on international trade, members debated imports of goods made with forced labour. Michael Chong and Arnold Viersen of the Conservatives asked why the government is bringing in new legislation if, as it says, strong measures already exist, and they argued that a federal law requiring companies to report annually on forced labour in supply chains was not being applied to certain companies, and that a United States investigation is putting the Canada–U.S. trade relationship at risk. Mona Fortier, for the Liberals, said Canada has some of the strictest forced labour laws in the world, that all imported goods are screened, that the government is hiring 1,000 new CBSA officers and investing over $670 million in border security, and that new legislation will strengthen existing protections while Canada continues to work with the United States on keeping forced-labour goods out of supply chains.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

5 statements

Michael Chong

Conservative
“The government claims Canada already has strong rules against importing goods made with forced labour. I want them to explain why they are introducing a new bill to ban those same goods if the current rules are enough.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, perhaps somebody on that side over there can answer this question. For weeks, the Prime Minister and government ministers have insisted that strong measures are already in place to combat the importation of products using forced labour into Canada. If that is the case, why did the government give the House notice that it is going to introduce a bill entitled “An Act respecting the prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labour”?

View on ourcommons.ca View analysis

Mona Fortier

Liberal
“Canada has strong laws against forced labour, and we check all goods that enter the country.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 47 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “Canada has some of the most rigorous forced labour laws in the world.”

    Said 3 times by 3 members since June 3.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canada has some of the most rigorous forced labour laws in the world, and we have been clear that we condemn forced labour everywhere it exists. Every good that enters the country is subject to rigorous import controls and screening. For example, Canada’s new government is— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

Mona Fortier

Liberal
“Our government is hiring 1,000 new border officers and spending over $670 million to keep our borders secure. We will keep protecting Canada and supporting workers' rights.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, Canada’s new government is hiring 1,000 new CBSA officers and investing over $670 million in the CBSA to keep our borders secure. We will continue to protect Canada’s interests while upholding labour standards for all workers.

View on ourcommons.ca View analysis

Arnold Viersen

Conservative
“A federal law makes companies report on forced labour. The Liberals broke this rule to excuse some of their business friends. Now the United States is investigating Canada, which puts our trade deal at risk. Why is the government helping these companies instead of fighting forced labour?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, one of those really great laws is Bill S-211, which requires companies selling or distributing goods in Canada to produce an annual report. The Liberals, contrary to the law, revised their directive and exempted a bunch of their corporate buddies from having to file the report. Now the U.S. is investigating Canada for not fighting forced labour and is threatening us in the CUSMA talks. Why is the government putting the CUSMA talks in jeopardy so that it can pad the pockets of its corporate buddies instead of fighting slavery?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Mona Fortier

Liberal
“Canada and the United States agree that goods made with forced labour should not enter our countries. Canada already has strong rules against this, but we will make new laws to make them even stronger. We will keep working with our partners to protect workers and ensure fair trade.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 46 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. Canada and the United States share the goal of keeping goods produced through forced labour out of our supply chains. Canada, right now, already has strong protections in place. We will take further action to strengthen them through new legislation. We will continue working closely with our partners to uphold high labour standards and ensure fair, rules-based trade.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 134

All 60 items ·
  1. Government Orders Government Business No. 11—Proceedings on Bill C-26 11 statements
  2. Oral Questions Public Safety 4 statements
  3. Oral Questions The Economy 10 statements
  4. Oral Questions Canadian Identity and Culture 6 statements
  5. Oral Questions Justice 2 statements
  6. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  7. Oral Questions Northern Affairs 2 statements
  8. Oral Questions Seniors 4 statements
  9. Oral Questions Public Safety 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions Employment 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Labour 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Public Services and Procurement 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 4 statements
  15. Oral Questions Seniors 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Telecommunications 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Sport 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Access to Information 2 statements
  19. Oral Questions Housing 2 statements
  20. Oral Questions The Economy 3 statements
  21. Oral Questions Marine Transportation 2 statements
  22. Oral Questions National Defence 3 statements
  23. Oral Questions International Trade 5 statements
  24. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  25. Oral Questions Aerospace Industry 2 statements
  26. Oral Questions Agriculture and Agri-Food 5 statements
  27. Government Orders Strong and Free Elections Act 34 statements
  28. Oral Questions Seniors 2 statements
  29. Government Orders Business of the House 2 statements
  30. Oral Questions Intergovernmental Relations 2 statements
  31. Oral Questions Firearms 2 statements
  32. Oral Questions Fisheries and Oceans 2 statements
  33. Oral Questions Government Appointments 2 statements
  34. Private Members' Business National Framework on the Durability of Electronic Products and Essential Home Appliances Act 8 statements
  35. Government Orders Strong and Free Elections Act 29 statements
  36. Government Orders Combatting Hate Act 7 statements
  37. Government Orders Government Orders 11 statements
  38. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  39. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  40. Government Orders Government Orders 19 statements