National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (2019-2024)

Launched in September 2019, this framework represents the federal government's comprehensive approach to preventing human trafficking and forced labour from entering Canadian procurement supply chains. If you're working with federal contracts, you need to understand how this strategy translates into specific compliance requirements for suppliers. It's backed by over $60 million through 2024, plus $10 million ongoing—serious money that signals serious enforcement.

How It Works

The strategy operates through five pillars: empowerment, prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships. For procurement professionals, the prevention pillar matters most. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) holds the lead responsibility here, working to ensure federal supply chains don't inadvertently support forced labour or trafficking. According to the National Strategy document, the government committed to outlining specific requirements on human and labour rights for suppliers, then developing tools to help them achieve compliance.

Here's how this plays out in practice. PSPC drafted a human rights due diligence framework in 2024 that operationalizes the policy approach for public procurement. This framework highlights existing and upcoming measures to prevent forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking across federal supply chains. You'll see these requirements surface in solicitations, particularly for goods entering Canada through global supply chains where the risk of exploitative labour practices runs higher. The strategy doesn't just set rules—it pushes industry partners to make actual changes in how they manage their supply chains.

The strategy connects directly to the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, which came into force in January 2024. Both initiatives share the same goal: transparency and accountability in how goods reach Canadian buyers. PSPC's 2024-2025 Annual Report acknowledges the ongoing risk that products entering Canadian markets were produced using exploitative labour—a frank admission that drives the compliance framework you're now seeing in federal contracts.

Key Considerations

• The strategy technically ended in 2024, but its procurement measures continue through the human rights due diligence framework and related legislation. These requirements haven't sunset—they're evolving.

• Supplier compliance tools are still being developed and implemented. If you're responding to federal solicitations, expect requirements around supply chain transparency to become more detailed and prescriptive over time.

• PSPC works collaboratively with suppliers on compliance rather than taking a purely punitive approach. That said, the prosecution pillar exists for a reason—serious violations carry real consequences.

• Risk assessments focus heavily on global supply chains, particularly sectors known for labour exploitation. If your goods originate from high-risk jurisdictions or industries, anticipate enhanced scrutiny and documentation requirements.

Related Terms

Forced Labour, Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, Supplier Code of Conduct

Sources

• National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking 2019-2024 - Public Safety Canada

• National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking - 2023-2025 Report - Public Safety Canada

• Supply Chains Act - PSPC 2024-2025 Annual Report

The practical takeaway? Build supply chain transparency into your compliance processes now, not when PSPC asks for it in a specific solicitation. The framework is only getting more detailed.