Making International Trade More Equitable: Trade & Indigenous Peoples
The Labour Law and Development Research Laboratory (LLDRL) Speaker Series welcomes Risa Schwartz to discuss the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), progressive trade policies in Canada and their potential impact on Indigenous peoples.
The renegotiation of NAFTA offers a unique opportunity to better align international trade and investment with international Indigenous and human rights law. The announcement that Canada is seeking the inclusion of an Indigenous peoples’ chapter in NAFTA as a priority is a bold step to protect Indigenous rights, while enhance peoples’ increased participation in international trade. Not only does Canada’s prioritization of a progressive trade agenda, which includes the promotion of an Indigenous peoples’ chapter, help to realize economic equity, it is also consistent with Canada’s stated commitment to Indigenous rights and renewed nation-to-nation and Inuit-to-Crown relationships. In order for Canada to take the lead globally in progressive and inclusive trade, the government must develop a process for broader-based collaboration in a spirit of cooperative decision making in accordance with international law.
About Risa Schwartz
Risa Schwartz is a sole practitioner, focusing on international law and the intersections between trade law, environmental law and Indigenous rights. Risa was formerly a senior research fellow with CIGI's International Law Research Program. In that role, she researched law and policy that supported increasing Indigenous peoples’ participation in international law and treaty making. Risa has also held positions as counsel to the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs in Ontario, and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, and worked as a legal officer at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Risa obtained her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School and her LL.M. from the London School of Economics.
Seating is limited; kindly RSVP by writing to lldrl.law [at] mcgill.ca by January 28, 2018.
This event is accredited for 1.5 hours of continuing legal education for jurists by a recognized provider.
