Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR) has lodged a formal complaint with the Competition Bureau, targeting four companies allegedly importing goods produced by incarcerated individuals in Alabama. The complaint, filed in May, asserts that Alabama's prison labour programs, including its work-release initiatives, constitute forced labour under Canadian law. This action arises as Ottawa faces increasing pressure from the U. S. administration to enhance scrutiny of imports associated with forced labour.
The complaint specifically names lumber company Canfor, and automotive companies Hyundai Canada and Kia Canada, along with door manufacturer Masonite International. CLAIHR alleges these companies, either directly or through their suppliers, utilized prison labour and made false claims in their annual reports under Canada's Supply Chains Act. This legislation requires large corporations to disclose efforts to prevent forced labour in their supply chains, but critics argue these reports lack sufficient scrutiny.
James Yap, president of CLAIHR, stated that the alleged use of prison labour in Alabama, coupled with false claims of its absence in supply chains, constitutes a violation of competition law. He further emphasized Canada's obligation "not to be involved or not to encourage the use of forced labour anywhere in the world by importing and letting Canadian consumers purchase the products of forced labour". While Canada's law prohibits the importation of goods made with forced labour, enforcement has been a point of contention, with advocates pushing for more robust measures and consistent application of these regulations.
The International Human Rights Program at the University of Toronto also filed a complaint with the Canada Border Services Agency in April, requesting an investigation into specific goods potentially made with Alabama prison labour. This legal pressure highlights a growing concern among Canadians regarding ethical sourcing and the potential for forced labour to infiltrate domestic markets, even from close trading partners like the United States.
