Quebec securities regulator helping companies disclose exposure to modern slavery

MONTREAL – Quebec’s securities regulator is offering to help public companies disclose their exposure to modern slavery, including forced labour, human trafficking and child labour.

The Autorite des marches financiers says Canadian companies could be exposed directly or indirectly to the tens of millions of people around the world who are estimated to be affected by involuntary work made under threat or penalty.

The AMF notice doesn’t change legal requirements but helps companies determine what must be disclosed and improve their information.

The International Labour Organization has estimated that about 25 million people were victims of forced labour, generating US$150 billion in profits in 2014.

Sectors most likely to be exposed to this issue are construction, manufacturing, entertainment and agriculture.

The federal government announced in January the creation of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, an independent position to investigate allegations of human rights abuses linked to Canadian corporate activity aboard.