During their meeting at the Rideau Club in Ottawa, a few days before Canada’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (September 30th). Wayne Garnons-Williams and Michael Woods reviewed the work of the International Inter-Tribal Trade and Investment Organization (IITIO) [https://iitio.org/] in promoting full Indigenous participation in international and inter-tribal trade. Wayne is IITIO’s Chair and the driving force behind its creation and continued vital work on the international stage. Michael has worked with IITIO since its founding in 2015. During their meeting, Michael was able to take ..read more

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.  Canada endorsed the IPETCA the same day.  This new and innovative plurilateral Arrangement i ..read more

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 respect to commitments made by the Government in its 2023 Budget. Michael Woods is  an a ..read more

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 leading academics in i ..read more

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 ..read more

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 to the political objective of Russian withdrawal from Ukraine, the sanctions have also affected business by either prohibiting the busin ..read more

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 new era for trade (nationalmagazine.ca ..read more

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 SME Dialogue is convened annually on a rotating basis among the three CUSAM partners. The ..read more

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 Committee-UK (IPAC-UK) and providing views to Canadian negotiations about issues of particular importance and interest to Indig ..read more

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+ years as CITPs. Michael retired from the FITT Board of Directors, having served si ..read more