Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan ... moved to clamp down on modern slavery by backing a bill making Canadian companies ensure they are not using forced labour or exploiting child workers overseas.

... The bill, tabled by Sen. Julie Miville-Dechene, would make Canadian firms check that none of their products or components are made in sweatshops employing children or people forced to work excessive hours for free or for paltry pay.

... The bill outlawing slavery was unanimously backed at second reading in the Commons by Conservatives, the NDP, Greens and the Bloc Quebecois, and it will now move to the foreign affairs committee, a further parliamentary stage before becoming a law.