FOREWORD
The issue of exploitative child labour has become, increasingly, a priority issue for many governments in the international community. With the help of NGOs, international organizations like UNICEF and, more recently, young activists worldwide, pressure on Governments to confront the exploitation of children in factories, armies, the sex trade, and other unacceptable circumstances has intensified. The need for a more comprehensive approach to the issue has risen to a new level. The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade understands this urgency and, at the request of its members, struck a subcommittee to address this very issue.
As members of the Committee, we believed it important that the Federal Government establish a stronger and bolder policy in order for Canada to take the lead in this area. As a nation, we have long carried the banner for human rights worldwide. As Committee members, our work has convinced us that exploitative child labour should be a priority for the Government. We believe strongly that a coherent and focused approach by the Government in its own departments, as well as in international forums, would enhance sustainable human development and, most importantly, the protection of the world's most vulnerable-its children.
While the report covers some of the more traditional areas familiar to the NGO community, such as improving cooperation among Government and NGOs, as well as allocating greater resources to the protection of children and human rights, Committee members gave particular attention to the issue of codes of conduct, trade related instruments and greater youth involvement. In this respect, one might note our decision to recommend that the Government establish, on a trial basis, the Rugmark Program. In addition, it was recommended that a significant youth component be included in any overall strategy addressing child labour. Members were quite impressed with the comments and suggestions proffered by the young witnesses in the hearings. We hope that this report will spur the Government to take increased action in the fight against exploitative child labour and we are confident that the recommendations put forward will truly establish Canada as a world leader on this issue.
As Chair, I would like to thank the Committee's researcher, Gerald Schmitz, its Clerk, Christine Fisher, and the staff. Gerald and Christine have devoted long hours and careful thought to their work. They are models of what researchers and clerks should be, and the House of Commons benefits enormously from their energy, experience and wisdom. Certainly our Committee did. As Chair, I would also like to thank my assistant, Gordon Shields, who, like Gerald and Christine, is exemplary in his energy, dedication and willingness to go far beyond what is required. Similarly, the researchers and assistants of other members made a real contribution to our work, notably Bloc assistants Sylviane Fortin of Maud Debien's office and Sylvie Perras in Philippe Paré's office.
John English
Subcommittee Chairman