The goal of a new provincial policy announced today by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Ron Lemieux is to purchase clothing and apparel used by government workers from responsible manufacturers.

 

“Manitoba is not interested in dealing with vendors who conduct business with sweatshop practices,” said Lemieux.  “We will only buy products manufactured in a responsible manner so Manitobans know their tax dollars are not going to child labour.”

 

Manitoba is the first federal, provincial or territorial jurisdiction to establish this type of policy. Two Canadian cities, Vancouver and Toronto, have a similar policy. 

 

The new rules will help ensure items are manufactured in compliance with local laws and a set of minimum labour standards including no forced labour, no child labour, freedom of association, health and safety, no employment discrimination and employment standards such as wages, compensation and hours of work.

 

This policy emphasizes education and awareness with compliance based on vendor certification and public disclosure of vendors and the names and locations of subcontractors.

 

The policy will apply to clothing and apparel tenders for all departments. The Manitoba departments of justice, infrastructure and transportation, and conservation have the largest clothing expenditures. On average, the province spends between $1.3 and $1.6 million annually on clothing and apparel.