Today, West Coast firm Boughton Law is pleased to announce the Honourable Wally Oppal K.C. has been appointed to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Roster of Arbitrators for Chapter 19 (Trade Remedies) by the Government of Canada. Chapter 19 of NAFTA, the trilateral free-trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States oversees complaints from state parties regarding anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed by other parties on goods crossing the borders between the three North American countries.
Mr. Oppal was appointed to the role by the Government of Canada, and Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of International Trade and the Minister of Finance. Along with 67 other panelists from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Mr. Oppal will advise on disputes between Canada, Mexico, and the United States in regard to the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties.
Mr. Oppal’s current legal practice, at Boughton Law, focuses on alternative and traditional dispute resolution. After graduating from the University of British Columbia Law School, Mr. Oppal pursued private practice for a number of years. In 2005, Mr. Oppal was appointed as Attorney General of British Columbia and served as Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism. Mr. Oppal most recently served the public of British Columbia as the Commissioner of the Missing Women Commision of Inquiry. Wally’s experience in mediating complex legal issues and leading government panels to tackle difficult social challenges, along with his years of experience navigating governmental and intergovernmental affairs, make him an ideal choice to serve on this important panel.
Regarding the appointment, Mr. Oppal says,
“It is an honour to be called on to serve my country, once again. I hope to utilize past experiences as Attorney General for British Columbia as well as my tenure at Boughton Law to guide me in this advisory role.”
NAFTA has been in effect since 1994. The agreement covers one of the world’s largest free trade areas in regards to GDP of its members. The agreement is currently under negotiation, with talks expected to continue throughout 2018.