Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: Senator Moreau, as you know, President Trump has launched an investigation into 60 countries, including Canada, to determine whether goods produced through forced labour are actually being seized at the border. Although Canada has had legislation in place for five years, our Border Services Agency has temporarily seized 48 shipments, only two of which contained goods made using forced labour. That’s right, two shipments in five years.
By comparison, since 2022, U.S. customs officials have blocked the entry of more than 10,000 shipments suspected of containing goods produced through forced labour, such as solar panels and electronics. Is Canada doing enough to combat modern slavery?
Hon. Pierre Moreau (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator Miville-Dechêne, the Government of Canada has significantly increased RCMP and CBSA budgets to increase the number of people keeping our borders safe.
Canada has imposed a ban on the importation of goods produced through slavery, as set out in the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Implementation Act of 2020. Canada passed legislation in 2024 to eradicate forced labour.
These measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to doing just that. I believe that Canada’s recent investments in both the RCMP and the CBSA will ensure better oversight of the implementation of these legislative provisions.
Senator Miville-Dechêne: I hope so, senator, because the results haven’t been great so far.
This investigation is clearly a way for the Trump administration to justify new tariffs. In light of this, shouldn’t Canada further strengthen its border laws, specifically by reversing the burden of proof, that is, by requiring importers themselves to prove that their cargo is free of products made by forced labour, as the United States does?
Senator Moreau: Under the amendments made to the law in 2024, the burden of proof is shared between importers and exporters of goods in Canada. These amendments require government entities and businesses to review their international supply chains to identify risks related to violations of the laws I mentioned earlier.
Indeed, the government has committed to doing more in this area to ensure compliance with its laws.