Bill C-463 (Historical)

Prohibition on Importing Goods Produced by Sweatshop Labour Act

An Act to prohibit sweatshop labour goods

This bill was last introduced in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session, which ended in March 2011.

This bill was previously introduced in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session.

Sponsor

Peter Julian  NDP

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Outside the Order of Precedence (a private member's bill that hasn't yet won the draw that determines which private member's bills can be debated), as of Oct. 21, 2009
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament often publishes better independent summaries.

This enactment prohibits the importation of goods that were produced, manufactured or assembled, in whole or in part, in working conditions that fail to meet labour standards recognized by the International Labour Organization Conventions and Protocols to which Canada is a party.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Prohibition on Importing Goods Produced by Sweatshop Labour ActRoutine Proceedings

October 21st, 2009 / 3:20 p.m.
See context

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-463, An Act to prohibit sweatshop labour goods.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my seconder from Sault Ste. Marie.

More and more people around the world are calling for fair trade policy, a major item that was discussed in the latest election in the United States that elected Barack Obama.

This particular bill would establish a list of prohibited imports when the good is produced, manufactured or assembled in contravention of the labour standards of the International Labour Organization, including the right of association, the right to bargain collectively, the use of forced or compulsory labour, a minimum age for employment of children, and established and acceptable conditions of work.

The WTO had discussions in 1996 in Singapore and in 2001 in Doha and endorsed the ILO standards and endorsed the ILO as the standard setting agency for trade standards when it comes to labour standards.

This is the second in the series of fair trade legislation that I am bringing forward. We are trying to get the job done here in Parliament by bringing forward legislation we know most Canadians will support.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)