FEMINISM & LAW WORKSHOP SERIES
presents
International Commitments, Transnational Imperatives
and Intra-National Rights
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
12:30 - 2:00
Solarium (room FA2) - Falconer Hall
84 Queen's Park
This paper is part of a larger project aimed at exploring the effects of transnational economic integration (including international commitments to facilitate this process) on the ability of domestic governments to regulate intra-nationally in North America. In particular, I am interested in the effects and implications of the North American Free Trade Agreement for the development and protection of equality laws in Canada. Among the panoply of potential consequences for growing economic integration is the likelihood that Canada's intra-national constitutional obligations will increasingly conflict with its international trade obligations. The focus of this paper is a recent case (Counsel of Canadians v. Canada) and its NAFTA counterpart (U.P.S. v. Canada). I use these cases to establish, explore and theorize the consequences for the transnationalization of capitalism under NAFTA on Canada's ability to protect and promote equality rights within its national borders. Relatedly, I explore why there seems be such a tremendous resistance to understanding NAFTA as an integrationist project.
Laura Spitz received her SJD from Cornell University in 2003. Previously, she graduated from the University of Toronto (BA), and the University of British Columbia (LLB). Before becoming an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado (Boulder), Professor Spitz clerked and practiced in Vancouver, British Columbia for seven years. She has also been an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Mexico Law School, and studied European Union law at the European University Institute. At the University of Colorado, she teaches Contracts, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law. While at Toronto, Professor Spitz was a varsity field hockey player.
A light lunch will be served.
For more workshop information, please contact Nadia Gulezko at n.gulezko@utoronto.ca
