First Anniversary of the IPECTA Agreement
This June 23, 2023, marked the 1 year anniversary of the Indigenous People’s Economic Trade and Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA), signed between Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Chinese Taipai February 2021, when these four partners and other APEC economies began work towards developing an arrangement with the focus on the economic empowerment of Indigenous peoples in the Asia- Pacific region. On December 10, 2021, the Arrangement was concluded and APEC members were invited to join. ...
read moreMichael Woods Participates in CBA Demarch on Canada’s Proposed Sanctions Legislation
Concerned by the Government of Canada’s recently proposed amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) (Magnitsky Act) in Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act 2023, No. 1 (Bill C-47),[1] the International Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA Section) has filed a submission with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.[2] Bill C-47 is intended to make consequential amendments with...
read moreFrom Global Capitals to Canada’s Capital
Michael Woods is one of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law alumni featured on its website (https://www.law.utoronto.ca/) in the career section. Michael is a graduate of the class of on 1976. The UofT’s Faculty of Law is one of the oldest professional faculties at the university (established in 1887) and prides itself as one of the world’s leading law schools (see: https://www.law.utoronto.ca/news/u-t-law-ranked-in-top-10-global-law-schools-times-higher-education-world-university-rankings). In the field of international law and policy, the faculty boasts...
read moreMichael Woods Invited to Canada’s Celebration of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement
The Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Mary Ng, has invited Michael Woods to events on June 22nd and 23rd in Gatineau, Québec, organized by Global Affairs Canada to celebrate Canada’s endorsement of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA). [https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/12/canada-endorses-indigenous-peoples-economic-and-trade-cooperation-arrangement.html; see also: https://twitter.com/CanadaTrade/status/1469384046304186370 ] The IPECA is an APEC initiative [ Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (apec.org)]. In February 2021, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Chinese Taipei and other APEC economies began...
read moreUnderstanding and Responding to the Business Risk of Russian Sanctions
Anyone following the news knows that Russia is now the world’s most sanctioned country and that the sanctions are intended to cause Russia so much economic pain that it will withdraw from Ukraine. Canada has joined other countries in imposing sanctions on Russia and Russians under the Special Economic Measures Act, the Customs Tariff, and the Export and Import Permits Act and has indicated that it will impose more sanctions if necessary.[1] In addition...
read more“A New Era for Trade” – Woods, LaFortune LLP Interviewed re Russian Sanctions and Related Trade Measures
In his March 23rd article in the Canadian Bar Association’s National, veteran journalist Alan Freeman quoted both Gordon LaFortune and Michael Woods with respect to the urgent and pressing matter of the new waves of sanctions and other trade measures, “unprecedented in their scale and speed and the concerted action among the Western economies.” The article highlights the new risks that business face and the need to ensure compliance. See – National – A...
read moreMichael Woods Invited to Participate in CUSMA Dialogue
Michael Woods has been invited to the first Canada United States Mexico Agreement CUSMA Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Dialogue on , April 22, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. The event will bring together SME stakeholders, including those from underrepresented communities for discussions with government officials to discuss strengthening regional trade and investment under CUSMA, enhancing cooperation on issues of mutual interest to SMEs, and helping more small businesses benefit from the CUSMA. The...
read moreMichael Woods to Join the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee-UK (IPAC-UK)
Michael Woods has been formally invited to participate in ongoing technical discussions with Canada’s negotiators regarding the upcoming Canada-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Government of Canada tabled a Notice of Intent to enter into negotiations in December 2021. In April 2022, Round 1 FTA negotiations are set to begin in London and Round 2 is scheduled for will be in Ottawa in June 2022. Michael will be joining the Indigenous Peoples Advisory...
read moreMichael Woods Stays Connected to FITT
Michael Woods was pleased to attend the Forum for International Training (FITT) Annual Gala on March 3, 2021, as a specially invited quest. The virtual event celebrated FITT’s 30th Anniversary, featuring keynote addresses by Ms. Sara Wilshaw, Chief Trade Commissioner of Global Affairs Canada and Ms. Mairead Lavery, President and CEO of Export Development Canada. Michael participated in the virtual networking with FITT”S Certified International Trade Professionals (CITP) celebrating 5, 10, 15, and 20+...
read moreWoods, LaFortune LLP Invited to Participate in CETA Civil Society Forum
Woods, LaFortune LLP, has been invited to attend the Fourth Civil Society Forum (CSF), held in connection with the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Canada will serve as host of the February 2022 meetings (which will be virtual). The CSF is intended to promote dialogue between the governments and civil society representatives from Canada and the European Union (EU). Woods, LaFortune LLP has attended past forums which features with participants from...
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