Clothing and textiles are Canada's second-largest source of at-risk imports, report finds

Overall, at-risk imports averaged more than $170 million a day, about eight per cent of all merchandise entering Canada, and were 6.2 per cent higher than in 2022.

Key facts

▸ Clothing and textiles: $15.3 billion in at-risk imports in 2025

▸ Ranking: second only to electronics ($22.2 billion), ahead of gold ($7.8 billion)

▸ All at-risk goods: $63.3 billion, up 6.2 per cent from 2022

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 30- Canada imported an estimated $15.3 billion in clothing and textiles in 2025 that are tied to countries and goods with documented child labour or forced labour risks, according to a new World Vision Canada report. Only electronics, at $22.2 billion, accounted for more. Clothing and textiles made up roughly a quarter of the $63.3 billion in total at-risk imports.

The report, Canada's Risky Imports, cross-references Canadian import data with goods and countries flagged by the U.S. Department of Labor for evidence of child or forced labour. World Vision stresses that the figures show where known risks overlap with Canadian trade. They do not mean any particular shipment or product was made using child or forced labour.

What World Vision is calling for

The organization wants Canada to pair import enforcement with clearer legal expectations that companies identify, prevent, address and report on human rights risks in their supply chains. It also urges sustained support for prevention work in producing communities.

Bill C-35, the proposed Ban on Importing Goods Made with Forced Labour Act, is at second reading in the House of Commons. If passed, it would create a standalone forced-labour import regime. World Vision says any ban should be transparent, evidence-based and designed to avoid unintended harm to workers and children.

"Our prosperity should never cost a child their childhood or a worker their freedom," said Allison Alley, World Vision Canada's president and CEO.

A note on footwear: the release reports clothing and textiles as a single category and gives no separate figure for footwear. If you need footwear numbers, they would have to come from the full Risky Imports report, which the release links to.