Bill S-211 explained in plain English

This artifact is a record of the House of Commons sitting on May 3, 2022. During the "Routine Proceedings" section, the House formally agreed to the first reading of Bill S-211, titled 'An Act to enact the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act and to amend the Customs Tariff'. This procedural step means the bill was introduced and presented for the first time in the House of Commons. The debate during this stage focused on the bill's purpose and its potential impact, with Members of Parliament from various parties expressing their views. The rest of the sitting involved debates on other government orders, statements by members, oral questions, points of order, and adjournment proceedings, none of which directly altered the status of Bill S-211 at this first reading stage.

This artifact is a record of a debate that took place in the House of Commons on May 18, 2022, during the second reading stage of Bill S-211, also known as the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act. The debate included discussions on the bill's purpose, which is to require Canadian companies and government institutions to report on their efforts to prevent forced labour and child labour in their supply chains. Several Members of Parliament spoke, expressing support for the bill and discussing its potential impact, limitations, and the importance of transparency. The debate also touched upon related issues such as international efforts to combat forced labour and the role of government procurement.

This artifact is a transcript of the debate in the House of Commons on May 18, 2022, concerning 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." The debate occurred during the Second Reading stage of the bill. Several members spoke, expressing support for the bill's aim to bring transparency to supply chains and combat forced and child labour. The sponsor of the bill, the Honourable John McKay, highlighted the prevalence of these issues in various products and the need for Canadian companies and government institutions to report on their efforts to prevent them. The debate included discussions on the bill's proposed reporting requirements, the authority of the Minister of Public Safety, and potential penalties. Members also discussed the bill's effectiveness, its limitations, and the need for further action, such as strengthening international cooperation and potentially adopting measures similar to those in the United States. The discussion also touched upon the historical context of the bill, similar legislation in other countries, and public opinion on the matter. The proceedings shown in this artifact are from the House of Commons during the "Second Reading" stage of Bill S-211.

This artifact is a record of a debate in the House of Commons on May 18, 2022, regarding 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". The debate occurred at the second reading stage of the bill. Multiple Members of Parliament (MPs) spoke, with the primary speaker, Hon. John McKay, introducing the bill and explaining its purpose. The bill aims to bring transparency to supply chains by requiring government institutions and certain businesses to report on their efforts to prevent forced labour and child labour. The discussion highlighted the international context of forced labour, citing examples of products and industries affected, and the need for Canada to align its legislation with international commitments. Several MPs expressed support for the bill, emphasizing its importance as a step towards eradicating modern slavery and promoting ethical business practices. Some MPs suggested potential improvements and amendments for future consideration, while acknowledging the bill's significance as a starting point. The debate also touched upon the role of government procurement and the limitations of current import controls. The general sentiment among speakers was that the bill, while perhaps modest, represented a necessary and timely measure to address a significant human rights issue.

This artifact is a record of a debate that took place in the House of Commons on May 18, 2022, regarding 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. This was part of the second reading stage of the bill's process. Several Members of Parliament spoke during the debate, with the primary speaker, Hon. John McKay, introducing the bill and explaining its purpose. The debate focused on the need for transparency in supply chains to combat forced and child labour, with speakers discussing the scope of the problem, the proposed reporting requirements for businesses and government institutions, and the potential impact of the legislation. Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of the bill and suggestions were made for strengthening it. The debate concluded with the bill being referred to a committee for further study.

This artifact is a record of a debate in the House of Commons on May 18, 2022, regarding 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. During this debate at the second reading stage, members of Parliament discussed the bill's provisions, which aim to increase transparency in supply chains to combat forced labour and child labour. Several members spoke in favour of the bill, highlighting its importance in aligning Canadian businesses with social and environmental sustainability and its potential to make a significant impact. The debate touched upon the reporting obligations for government institutions and businesses, the penalties for non-compliance, and the creation of a public registry. Concerns were raised that the bill might not go far enough and that further measures, such as mandatory due diligence legislation and stronger enforcement mechanisms, might be necessary. The discussion also included international comparisons and the need for greater collaboration with other countries. The bill was subsequently read the second time and referred to a committee.

On June 1, 2022, the House of Commons debated 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. Following the debate, the bill was read the second time and referred to committee. The sitting also included statements by members on various topics, Oral Questions concerning the economy, justice, and health, and debates on other private members' business and government orders.

On November 30, 2022, in the House of Commons, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development presented its report on Bill S-211. The committee reported the bill back to the House without amendments. This means the bill has completed its committee stage review and is ready for further proceedings in the House. The sitting also included debates on other matters, statements by members, and routine proceedings.

The parliamentary record includes discussions on several key issues. First, there was debate around Bill C-11, the Online Harms Act, with concerns raised about its potential impact on content moderation and platform accountability. Second, the NDP introduced a motion to end fossil fuel subsidies and impose a windfall profits tax, which the government opposed. Third, there was discussion about managing asylum seekers, including proposals to transfer individuals to provinces with more capacity. Finally, the cannabis industry faced criticism for high taxes and regulations leading to job losses, with calls for policy adjustments.

The parliamentary record includes discussions on several key issues. First, there was debate around Bill C-11, the Online Harms Act, with concerns raised about its potential impact on content moderation and platform accountability. Second, the NDP introduced a motion to end fossil fuel subsidies and impose a windfall profits tax, which the government opposed. Third, there was discussion about managing asylum seekers, including proposals to transfer individuals to provinces with more capacity. Finally, the cannabis industry faced criticism for high taxes and regulations leading to job losses, with calls for policy adjustments.

The text contains a record of parliamentary debates in the Canadian House of Commons and Senate, including speeches, procedural motions, and legislative discussions. Key topics include bills, taxation, seniors' issues, carbon pricing, and government operations. The record includes speaker names, positions, and remarks, with procedural elements such as motions to adjourn or call the House to order. The text is structured with section headers and timestamps, and includes references to official documents and legislative processes.

During the parliamentary sitting, several members of the House of Commons addressed various issues. Corey Tochor (Liberal) criticized the current government for adding more restrictive legislation and mentioned the Harper government's approval of an LNG plant. Mark Gerretsen (Conservative) questioned the reliance on LNG and suggested a shift to heat pumps. Elizabeth May (Green) discussed regulatory modernization, citing her experience with a restaurant and challenges faced by doctors with paperwork. Maninder Sidhu (NDP) addressed the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Canada's response. A member also raised concerns about ethics violations, the government's failure to inform an MP about threats from Beijing, and questioned the Liberal-NDP government's ethics. The discussions covered energy policy, regulatory issues, international relations, and governance concerns.