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Canada’s ombudsperson for corporate misconduct abroad steps down

Posted by CAF May 7th, 2024

Canada’s ombudsperson for corporate misconduct abroad steps down

On April 30, 2024 the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, appointed an interim Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) to take over from Sheri Meyerhoffer, upon the completion of her five-year term.   Mr. Masud Husain has been named interim CORE (for 12 months beginning May 21, 2024). Mr. Husain served in Canada’s foreign service for 30 years in several key posts.    His term will coincide with a previously announced mandate review …

Budget 2024 tabled

Posted by CAF April 18th, 2024

Budget 2024 tabled

Budget 2024 - summary On April 16, 2024, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, presented the government’s budget. The budget was heavily focused on measures to address the ongoing housing crisis. A number of tax measures were introduced, including substantial changes to capital gains and new tax credits (i.e. New Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses). These are outlined in the summaries below: Richter Miller Thomson EY  PWC KPMG Davies Ward Last year’s Budget contained a …

Update on European social compliance initiatives

Posted by Bob Kirke March 28th, 2024

Update on European social compliance initiatives

The European union is moving forward with human rights due diligence legislation and an import prohibition on goods made from forced Labour. Details below. Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D): In 2022, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. (CS3D).  The aim of this Directive is to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour and to anchor human rights and environmental considerations in companies’ operations and corporate governance. The new rules will ensure that businesses …

CANADA - U.K. free trade talks break down

Posted by Bob Kirke March 27th, 2024

CANADA - U.K. free trade talks break down

  United Kingdom (UK) has pulled out of negotiations with Canada for a permanent free trade agreement, post-Brexit. Duty-free treatment for most goods will continue under temporary arrangements, yet several crucial provisions will be lost. For instance, the "origin quotas" will be eliminated as of March 31, 2024.    Origin quotas apply to a small number of apparel products and allow Canadian firms to manufacture apparel using third-country fabrics and still access the UK market duty-free.  The product most impacted …

The Canadian government agrees to review Mandate of CORE

Posted by Bob Kirke March 27th, 2024

The Canadian government agrees to review Mandate of CORE

The federal government has announced a review of the watchdog it created in 2019 to review the conduct of Canadian companies operating abroad.  Starting this year, over a six-month period, the government said it will assess the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise’s “effectiveness and progress to date.” In an article on the review, a government spokesperson indicated that the review would take account of the various measures to address modern slavery and supply-chain legislation recently adopted by the federal government. The …

Exporters beware: new requirements for organic products shipped to USA

Posted by Bob Kirke March 21st, 2024

Exporters beware: new requirements for organic products shipped to USA

On March 19, 2024 new import requirements took effect that impact organic textile products shipped into the USA. The USDA published the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule on January 19, 2023, which requires the use of electronic NOP Import Certificates for organic agricultural products imported into the U.S. The use of the NOP Import Certificate was mandatory as of March 19, 2024. Implementing the NOP Import Certificate involves close collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), organic certifiers, …

Environment Canada to host Workshop on Green Textile & Apparel Standards

Posted by Bob Kirke March 19th, 2024

Environment Canada to host Workshop on Green Textile & Apparel Standards

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and the Standards Council of Canada is inviting stakeholders in the textiles and apparel sector to a virtual workshop on March 27th, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT.   The meeting is intended to identify challenges, gaps and opportunities related to chemicals management and sustainability that could benefit from re-thought or new drivers for standardization to support the sector’s environmental performance and competitiveness. The workshop is an opportunity for industry leaders to showcase best …

Public Safety Canada provides further guidance for S-211 reporting

Posted by Bob Kirke March 15th, 2024

Public Safety Canada provides further guidance for S-211 reporting

The Canadian government has provided updated guidance on the Supply Chains Act (formerly known as Bill S-211). Some of the updates put in writing what was stated during the webinar held in January by Public Safety Canada, or otherwise provide clarification.  Canada’s Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act  (the Supply Chain Act), came into force on January 1, 2024. It requires certain companies to file reports on their supply chain activities (about measures taken to …

CAF begins work on renewal of North American Free Trade

Posted by Bob Kirke March 15th, 2024

CAF begins work on renewal of North American Free Trade

When North American countries signed the successor to the NAFTA they included a provision for a mandatory review of the agreement six years after the agreement came into force.  The Canada-United States -Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)  must be renewed by July 1, 2026, and while that date is still two years away, CAF is beginning to prepare for this renewal process. (United States Trade Representative, Katherine Tai)   Recently, US officials have warned that there is potential for substantial amendments, underlining …

Export subsidy program accepting applications until May 31, 2024

Posted by Bob Kirke March 14th, 2024

Export subsidy program accepting applications until May 31, 2024

Canada has reopened its international export subsidy program, CAN Export, which provides up to $50,000 to Canadian SMEs to suport international business development activities.  All sectors are eligible for grants: the key requirement is that the company exports goods or services to new international markets. The Canadian Apparel Federation in conjunction with Jason Berke of JB Consulting hosted a webinar on the program in 2022. For companies that are not familiar with the program, this short webinar will provide a …

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