Global Affairs Canada – Indigenous Working Group
On December 11, 2020, Michael Woods participated in the most recent meeting of Global Affairs Canada’s Indigenous Working Group (IWG). As part of its commitment and inclusive approach to trade Global Affairs established the IWG in September 2017 in order to better engage with Indigenous Peoples and their representatives during the NAFTA renewal negotiations that lead to the Canada-U.S.-Mexica Agreement (CUSMA). Michael participates in the IWG as a founding member of the International Inter-tribal...
read moreCETA – Third Annual Civil Society Forum
Michael Woods was honoured to be invited to participate in the third edition of the Civil Society Forum, established under the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The event was held on December 8th and 9th. The Civil Society Forum (CSF) is a joint initiative of the Government of Canada and the European Union that provides an opportunity for important dialogue and exchange of views between Canadian and EU representatives from employers, unions,...
read moreChina and the CPTPP – Comments by Michael Woods
At the recent virtual APEC Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated openness in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) [Xi says China will consider joining TPP – Nikkei Asia]. To many, this underlined China’s aspirations to play a larger economic role – both in the Asia- Pacific region as well as globally. Michael Woods was interviewed on the subject by the South China Morning Post earlier this year [ Michael...
read moreCOVID-19 and the Risk of Foreign Investor Challenges
Michael Woods was quoted in the September issue of the Canadian Bar Association’s online magazine, National, about concerns that the global COVID-19 pandemic might lead to investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) claims aimed at government measures put in place in response to the challenge. Michael has experience form both the government and investor perspective and has served as counsel in several ISDS cases pursuant to NAFTA Chapter 11 as wells as Foreign Investment Protection Agreements...
read moreMichael Woods quoted in South China Morning Post on China and the CPTPP
Michael Woods was interviewed with respect to China’s recent expression of interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The article can be found at this link:...
read moreCanada should consider the Economic Impact of Imposing AD/CV Duties on Imports and should start with OCTG
Canadian practice has been to consider Anti-dumping/Countervailing measures (AD/CV) measures exclusively from the perspective of the domestic industry that filed the dumping complaint and ensure that any injury to this industry is offset using AD/CV duties. However, this approach does not necessarily take the best interests of the Canadian economy as a whole into consideration. That practice should stop and Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) is the product that calls out for this change....
read moreProving FTA preferential tariff eligibility: The evidentiary burden in Canada
Jean-Marc Clément Counsel, Woods LaFortune Montréal, Canada As is the case with most free trade agreements, importers simply claim preferential tariff eligibility at the time of import. This claim can later be subject to verification by the customs administration in view of determining if it was valid. Proving preferential tariff entitlement requires assembling and presenting relevant facts and documents that support the claim. But just how much evidence is necessary in order to discharge...
read moreWoods, LaFortune LLP to Attend CETA Civil Society Forum
Woods, LaFortune LLP has been invited by the Trade Agreements Secretariat at Global Affairs Canada to participate in the Civil Society Forum on Trade and Sustainable Development under the Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Michael Woods will attend on behalf of the firm. The event is to take place in Ottawa on November 12, 2019. The Forum is facilitated jointly by the Government of Canada and the European Union and...
read moreMichael Woods to Speak at CANDO Annual Conference
Michael Woods is scheduled to appear on an expert panel at the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) Annual Conference in Gatineau Québec on October 30, 2019. CANDO is a Canadian Aboriginal-controlled, community-based, and membership driven organization focusing on education and professional development for economic development officers working in Aboriginal communities and organizations. Michael will be part of a panel examining “Economic Development Opportunities in Indigenous International Trade” and he will share...
read moreMichael Woods Speaks at IITIO Conference – “The Indigenous Chapter is Very Much Alive.”
Michael Woods joined the head of the Government of Canada’s Trade Law Bureau, Robert Brookfield, Professor Lindsay Robertson of the University of Oklahoma and Professor James Hopkins of the University of Arizona on a panel to discuss the Indigenous elements in the Canada United States Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and the consultative process between the Government of Canada and Canada’s Indigenous communities during the NAFTA renegotiations which were launched in 2017. This was the 7th...
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