Canada's new modern slavery in supply chains legislation (S-211), which came into effect on January 1, 2024, requires businesses and government institutions to publicly report on the risk of forced labour and child labour within their supply chains. However, with the May 31 filing deadline fast approaching, uncertainty remains among many organizations about who precisely the legislation covers and how it will be monitored and enforced.
Speaking recently with the Globe and Mail's Robyn Doolittle, Stephen Pike, co-leader of Gowling WLG's ESG Advisory Services Group, highlighted some of the outstanding questions around enforcement specifically.
"Will anyone within government be reading the reports? Will those who file receive feedback? Will there be some sort of enforcement if reports are inadequate? If so, which agency will be responsible?" he questioned to the Globe.
He added: "I think the most important thing to recognize is that this is reporting legislation. It doesn't prescribe business activities. It doesn't try to tell businesses how they should operate or how organizations should operate ... This is about transparency."
Click the link below to read the full interview (subscriber only):
Stephen is frequently sought by businesses, investors, boards of directors, legal organizations, media and senior members of government to advise on issues related to forced or compulsory labour, including child labour. In 2022, he was invited to provide testimony on S-211 before the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights.
About Gowling WLG's ESG Advisory Services Group
Comprising lawyers working across practice areas in our international offices, our ESG Advisory Services Group provides a wide spectrum of advice helping clients to understand their responsibilities and identify where risks and opportunities may lie. Learn more about Gowling WLG's ESG Advisory Services Group