Bill Seeking to Counter Import of Slave Labour Products to Become Law; Critics Not Satisfied

Liberal MP for Scarborough-Guildwood John McKay rises on a point of order following Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Feb. 17, 2011. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

A bill passed by Parliament that creates reporting requirements for companies regarding products made by slave labour is seen by proponents as merely a first step in addressing the problem, while critics call it widely ineffective.

Bill S-211, an Act to enact the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act and to amend the Customs Tariff, cleared the House of Commons on May 3 and will now receive royal assent and become law.