Over the next two weeks, we are pleased to be able to post two articles by Daniel de Bellefeuille on Canada’s Air Transportation Policy and the fascinating world of Air Transport Agreements (ATAs). Daniel and Michael Woods, Senior Partner at Woods, LaFortune LLP, both joined Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) in 1981. The TCS experience opened their eyes to the importance of international trade and its key drivers, one of which is air transportation. Whether we consider air cargo, business travel, tourist charters, or the many other aspects of air transportation that spurs the global economy; there can be no doubt about its importance. ATAs are vital parts of the framework, and during his two assignments in support of the Chief Air Negotiator at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), Daniel was involved in ATA negotiations with over forty countries and tracked agreements with about 130. Daniel, who has retired form Government service, has also served Canada abroad with distinction at our Embassies in Yugoslavia, China, as well as our High Commission in London. In his two articles, he sets out the key elements of Canada’s ATA policy – a critical element in Canada’s overall international policy making. We appreciate his valuable contribution and encourage any follow-up questions and comments. The first article can be viewed in full under our Blog...
Read MoreA Brief Guide to Government Procurement and CITT Bid Challenges
The Government of Canada is a major purchaser of goods and services. In 2012, the Federal Government purchased approximately $15 billion worth of goods and services through 386,601 contracts. Undoubtedly, the Government of Canada is potentially an important customer that can make a real difference to a seller’s bottom line. Procurements by the Government of Canada differ from purchases by private sector corporations because the Government entities are subject to specific obligations that are intended to make the procurements competitive, fair and open to reduce purchasing costs and to support the growth of a strong economy. It is therefore extremely important for sellers to be aware of their rights, understand the process, and have access to the tools required to create a winning bid. This brief guide to Government Procurement and CITT Bid Challenges (available under our publications section – https://www.wl-tradelaw.com/government-procurement-and-citt-bid-challenges-a-brief-guide/) will provide current and potential sellers with all the relevant information....
Read MoreExporting to Canada – U.S. Commercial Services’ Webinar
The Canada-U.S. trade and economic relationship is the largest and richest in the history with over $1.6 Billion in trade a day. The Woods, LaFortune LLP team is proud to be participating in the bi-lateral partnership and looks forward to presenting at the U.S. Commercial Services’ Webinar on Wednesday November 12, 2014 on the topic of exporting into the Canadian market and what U.S. firms and companies need to know to be successful. Catherine Walsh and Michael Woods of Woods, LaFortune LLP will be speaking to U.S. companies on a number of topics that should be considered before beginning to export including: The Canadian Market Developing an export plan and a marketing strategy Entering the market and managing your goods Shipping International standards and contracts Protecting your intellectual property To view the full outline and for further details please visit:...
Read MoreCanada-U.S. Trade – Canadian American Business Council on the State of the Relationship
On November 6, 2014, Michael Woods, Senior Partner at Woods, LaFortune LLP, attended the Canadian American Business Council (CABC) Annual Summit and Award Dinner here in Ottawa. He was honoured to be the guest of iPolitics – a leader in smart, fast, informed and objective electronic journalism [http://www.ipolitics.ca/about]. Veteran TV journalist Tom Brokaw animated a terrific evening that featured informative exchanges with Finance Minister Joe Oliver and Ambassador Gary Doer, and the CEO of Campbell Soup Company, Denise Morrison. Ms. Morrison was awarded the prestigious CABC Canadian American Award for Business Achievement. Woods, LaFortune LLP extends its sincere congratulations to her and her team at Campbell...
Read MoreConference on the CETA – McGill University
Gordon LaFortune and Michael Woods, partners of Woods, LaFortune LLP, attended the McGill University Conference on the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) on October 31 and November 1, 2014. The conference was held at the Faculty of Law and special thanks is due to Professor Armand de Menstral (Emeritus Professor Jean Monnet Chair in Law) and Professor Andrea Bjorklund (L. Yves Fortier Chair in International and International Commercial Law) as well as the faculty members and students who participated and organized the event. The conference addressed Regional Trade Agreements and EU Policy and the Investment and Investment Dispute Settlement provisions of the CETA. The Chatham House Rule applied to the interesting and wide ranging discussions, and therefore the details of our discussions cannot be provided. What we can share however, is that the discussions provided an important opportunity for critical thought and exchange which we hope will be reflected in some of our upcoming commentaries on CETA and other free trade agreements and...
Read MoreEquality Effect and 160 Girls: Making Human Rights Real in Africa
On October 14th, 2014, Michael Woods, senior partner at Woods, LaFortune LLP, attended the Ontario Bar Association’s (OBA) event – “How the Equality Effect and 160 Girls Are Making Human Rights “Real” in Africa.” The event, organized and presented by the Constitutional, Civil Liberties, and Human Rights Law/Women Lawyers Forum Sections of the OBA, highlighted the courage and determination of a group of 160 girls determined to fight for basic human rights in Africa and that of the inspiring and skillful lawyers who successfully took the Government of Kenya to court. Relying upon Kenya’s new Constitution, the girls, ranging in age from three to seventeen ,won a landmark High Court ruling that forces government officials (notably the police force) to enforce existing and previously ignored laws against rape and sexual violence. Michael Woods indicated that more lawyers should be made aware of this story to highlight the way that an international team of lawyers came together in a collaborative effort to make a lasting contribution. As Canadians, we should be very proud of the Equality Effect, a Toronto-based non-profit charity that “uses international human rights law as a crowbar to pry open justice for women and girls around the world.” For more information on Equality Effect and their projects, please visit...
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