Bill S-211 explained in plain English

On February 18, 2020, the Senate of Canada convened for a sitting that included various procedural activities and debates. While the official record lists Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff, as being at the second reading stage and the debate being adjourned, the provided text does not contain the actual debate or discussion specific to Bill S-211 during this sitting. The text primarily details other Senate proceedings, including senators' statements on various topics, tabling of reports, first readings of other bills, responses during Question Period on issues such as rail blockades and Canada-China relations, and the continuation or adjournment of debates on other legislative matters and motions. The record indicates that the debate on Bill S-211 was adjourned.

On February 18, 2020, during the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-211, "An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff," Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne gave a speech introducing the bill. She explained that the bill aims to increase transparency and combat forced and child labour in supply chains. The bill would require Canadian companies meeting certain financial and employment criteria to publish an annual report detailing measures taken to prevent or reduce forced labour in their goods' production or importation. The bill also proposes to amend the Customs Tariff to prohibit the entry into Canada of goods manufactured with forced or child labour. Senator Miville-Dechêne highlighted that while Canada has international commitments and some existing provisions, this bill aims to strengthen accountability through legislative requirements and penalties. She acknowledged the complexity of the issue, including its presence within Canada, and noted that the bill is inspired by similar legislation in other countries but goes further by including penalties and explicitly addressing imported goods. Other senators raised questions regarding the bill's scope, enforcement, and potential constitutional challenges.

On February 25, 2020, the Senate convened and engaged in various procedural activities, including tabling reports, giving notice of motions, and debating several bills and inquiries. Notably, the Senate debated Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff, at its second reading stage. The debate on this bill was continued and subsequently adjourned. Other discussions included matters related to curling success, digital privacy, freedom of expression, the international day against the recruitment of child soldiers, and the tabling of annual reports. Significant portions of the sitting were dedicated to debates on bills concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act, as well as inquiries on carbon emissions and guaranteed livable income. The Senate also addressed a report from the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators regarding Senator Beyak, with a motion to refer the report back to the committee resulting in a deferred vote.

On February 25, 2020, the Senate was in session. The day included various procedural matters, such as tabling reports and introducing notices of motions. Question Period addressed topics including pipelines, Indigenous governance, blockade protests, foreign influence in elections, and the coronavirus. The Senate also debated and voted on several items, including a motion concerning the adjournment of the Senate and a motion to refer a report back to a committee. The Senate continued debate on several bills, including those related to the Criminal Code, the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act, the Modern Slavery Act, and inquiries on carbon emissions and guaranteed livable income. A significant portion of the debate focused on Bill S-211, an Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff, with Senators Lankin and Miville-Dechêne speaking.

On February 27, 2020, the Senate continued debate on Bill S-211. Senators discussed the bill's requirement for entities to report on steps taken to prevent forced or child labour in their supply chains and the prohibition of goods produced by forced labour from entering Canada. The bill is seen as a first step towards greater transparency and socially responsible corporate practices. Several senators also spoke on other matters during the sitting, including agriculture literacy, Janna's Law, the passing of Dr. Francis Allan Plummer, International Women's Day, visitors in the gallery, Black History Month, various committee reports, and questions raised during Question Period on topics such as national defence, drug shortages, Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Canadian Heritage, transport, Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the coronavirus. Significant debate also occurred on motions concerning the invitation of ministers to Question Period, the handling of a workplace assessment report related to former Senator Don Meredith, and the authorization for the National Security and Defence Committee to study Huawei's role in Canada's 5G network.

On March 10, 2020, the Senate convened for a sitting that included tributes to the late Honourable David P. Smith, a former senator. The Senate also observed International Women's Day, heard congratulations for the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers Women's Basketball Team, and acknowledged various visitors. Routine proceedings involved the tabling of departmental reports and plans, as well as Charter Statements for several bills. Question Period addressed economic issues, international affairs, environmental concerns, and matters related to public safety and the Senate itself. The Senate then proceeded to Orders of the Day, where debates continued on several bills and motions, including Bill S-208 (Criminal Code amendment), Bill S-211 (Modern Slavery Act), Bill S-213 (electoral district name change), Bill S-215 (Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act amendment), a motion regarding harassment policies, a motion to revoke the title of "Honourable" from a former senator, motions to authorize committee studies on the future of workers and mental health needs, motions to amend Senate rules and procedures, an inquiry on interprovincial trade, a point of order regarding a motion to call ministers before a Committee of the Whole, and inquiries regarding deficiencies in Senate policies on misconduct, carbon emissions, and non-government business. There was also a debate on a motion to review the Bank of Canada Act and an inquiry about the Bank of Canada's banknotes. The sitting concluded with several debates adjourned.

On March 12, 2020, the Senate continued the debate on Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff. Senators Mary Coyle and Mobina S. B. Jaffer spoke in support of the bill. They highlighted the global prevalence of forced labour and child labour within supply chains, citing examples from various industries and countries. They emphasized that the bill aims to address these issues by requiring large companies to report on their efforts to prevent and reduce forced and child labour in their supply chains and by detailing penalties for non-compliance. The debate also touched upon the amendments to the Customs Tariff to ban goods produced by forced or child labour. Both senators stressed that the bill is a crucial first step in Canada's commitment to ending modern slavery and protecting human rights.