Human Rights in Supply Chains

The University of Toronto has a responsibility to raise awareness and provide actionable guidance on addressing forced and child labour while supporting the federal government’s efforts to reduce or eliminate such practices in Canadian supply chains.

Understanding Forced Labour & Child Labour

Forced labour and child labour refers to situations where individuals are exploited and unable to refuse or leave work due to threats, violence, coercion, abuse of power, or deception. This includes slavery, servitude, forced labour, debt bondage, and deceptive recruitment for labour or services.

Key facts:

An estimated 28 million people are victims of forced labour globally
Forced labour creates unfair competition and poses reputational risks, particularly in complex global supply chains
It violates human rights and international labour standards, which are universally condemned
No employer wants to be associated with this crime

Canada’s Response to Human Rights in Supply Chains: Bill S-211

Bill S-211, Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, came into effect on January 1^st, 2024.

The Bill includes specific measures to mitigate against the risk of forced labour and child labour in supply chains, including:

Purpose – Mandates businesses and government to report on actions taken to mitigate the risk of forced and child labour in their supply chains and have at least two of the following: $20 million in assets, $40 million in revenue, or 250 employees
Scope – Applies to a business (including to a corporation, trust, partnership or unincorporated organization that: produces, sells, or distributes goods in Canada or elsewhere; imports into Canada goods produced outside Canada, or controls an entity engaged in either of the above activities
Reporting Requirements – Organizations must submit annual reports (on or before May 31) detailing actions taken to mitigate forced and child labour in their supply chains; endorsed by leadership and stakeholders
Compliance – Organizations should detail their strategies against forced and child labour; non-compliance penalties may be incurred by some entities

U of T’s Roadmap to Address Forced Labour & Child Labour

Amid growing global attention on human rights in supply chains and the introduction of Bill S-211, the University has a unique opportunity to set the standard for ethical sourcing in procurement practices.

The University has taken its first steps toward compliance with the new legislation by submitting its first annual report on April 11^th, 2024. This report lays the groundwork for our approach and outlines future steps to strengthen our efforts.

Key Highlights from the report:

U of T’s strategic approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks of forced and child labour within its supply chains
Comprehensive overview of procurement policies, risk assessment frameworks, and planned improvements
Identification of high-risk product categories, ongoing monitoring initiatives, and proactive staff training programs
Reinforced commitment to ethical and responsible procurement practices.