Canada has introduced new legislation (Bill C‑35) to strengthen its prohibition on importing goods produced with forced labour.
The legislation completed First Reading in the House of Commons on June 12, 2026, is now before the House at Second Reading, and has not yet come into force.
The proposed changes reflect a more structured and enforcement‑focused approach to managing goods suspected of being produced with forced labour.
Key highlights:
A new standalone law would replace the current framework under the Customs Tariff.
The government may establish a list of goods where there are reasonable grounds to suspect they are produced with forced labour, identified by the producer and/or country or region of origin.
Importers of these goods may be required, upon request, to provide prescribed information to CBSA.
Goods may be deemed prohibited if required information is not provided.
CBSA may assess and detain goods to determine whether they were produced wholly or in part by forced labour.
What this means for importers:
Increased due diligence and supply chain visibility will be required.
Greater risk of shipment delays, detentions, or refusals.
A shift toward a more evidence‑based compliance model for higher‑risk goods.
Additional resources
Relevant links related to this legislation are provided below.
We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as they become available.
Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our consulting team at [email protected]