Trade Conflicts and Supply Chain Risk: Legal and Strategic Implications for Canadian Business

9:00 a.m. Introduction to the Program

Martha Harrison, Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

9:10 a.m. Retaliation/Tariffs/Surtaxes: What You Need to Know

We begin the day with a high-level briefing from leading trade law experts on the latest developments in tariffs, surtaxes, and trade retaliation. Program Chair Martha Harrison, Matthew Kronby, and Felicia Leborgne Nowels unpack the legal, economic, and strategic impacts for Canadian and global businesses—and what you must know to stay compliant, competitive, and prepared.

Martha Harrison, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Matthew Kronby, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Felicia Leborgne Nowels, Partner, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Akerman LLP

10:05 a.m. The Duty of Good Faith and Punitive and Aggravated Damages

In an era of constant disruption—geopolitical shifts, trade barriers, and supply shortages—traditional contract and supply chain strategies are no longer enough. This session explores how businesses can adapt their contracting approaches and supply chain frameworks to remain agile, mitigate risk, and ensure continuity in an unpredictable global environment.

Julia Webster, Baker & McKenzie
Warrington Ellacott, Chair, Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters

11:15 a.m. Break

11:30 a.m. Customs Rules + Consistency in Tariff Context

12:15 p.m. Lunch Break

1:15 p.m. International Trade Risk Mitigation Practices

Navigating global trade today means managing a growing array of legal, financial, and operational risks. This session will explore practical strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate international trade risks helping you protect your business and maintain compliance across borders.

Amesika Baëta, Regional Director, GTA West, Export Development Canada
Jessica Horwitz, Bennett Jones LLP

2:00 p.m. Digital Trade, Customs Automation, and the Role of Technology in Modern Supply Chains

• The evolving and politically charged landscape of tariffs in the digital economy
• Staying ahead of shifting interpretations and international trade agreements
• Understanding how changing frameworks affect taxation and classification of digital goods and services
• Global Trade Implications: Preparing for the future of cross- border digital commerce in a complex legal environment

Wendy Wagner, Gowling WLG

2:45 p.m. Break

3:00 p.m. Forced Labour and the Importance of Supply Chain Due Diligence

• What forced labour is, its forms, and why it is a critical human rights violation to prevent
• How forced labour can exist hidden within complex global supply chains, posing risks to businesses
• The role of supply chain due diligence in identifying and addressing risks related to forced labour and other ethical concerns.
• Why proactive due diligence supports legal compliance, protects brand reputation, and promotes responsible sourcing

Benedict Wray, Counsel, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

3:45 p.m. Roundtable Panel Discussion: Legal Strategies for Contracts, Tariffs, and Supply Chain Resilience in Turbulent Times

In today’s rapidly evolving global trade environment, characterized by shifting tariffs, trade disputes, and regulatory complexities, businesses face unprecedented challenges in managing international contracts and supply chains. This roundtable brings together leading experts specializing in international trade law, contract strategy, and supply chain management to explore how companies can navigate uncertainty and risk effectively in today’s rapidly fluctuating world.

Panellists
Warrington Ellacott, Chair, Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters
Brenda Swick, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Paul Lalonde, Dentons
David A. Johnston, Professor of Operations Management and Information Systems; Program Director, Master of Supply Chain Management, Schulich School of Business, York University; Research Chair and Director of the George Weston Ltd Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains

Moderator
Martha Harrison, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

4:45 p.m. Program Concludes