(Ottawa) The House of Commons has passed a bill that addresses child labor and forced labor around the world.
The new law will require Canadian companies and government departments to review their supply chains and produce information about them.
The intention is to ensure that none of their products or components are made by children in sweatshops in other countries, or by people forced to work excessive hours.
The Conservatives backed the Liberals in passing the bill, which was first introduced in the Senate and sponsored in the House of Commons by Liberal MP John McKay.
The Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party have criticized the government’s approach, arguing that it does not hold companies accountable and that it does not have the power to end these harmful practices.
The NDP says it voted against the bill Wednesday afternoon and will continue to promote two of its own bills that seek to create greater accountability.
