Minister Morneau Announces Appointments to Canadian International Trade Tribunal

News release

September 14, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to a rigorous approach to Governor in Council appointments, in which open, transparent and merit-based processes result in the selection of highly qualified candidates able to best serve the interests of Canadians.

In keeping with this commitment, Finance Minister Bill Morneau today announced the appointment of three permanent members to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT). Cheryl Beckett, Georges Bujold and Randolph Heggart will serve five-year terms. Also announced today was the addition of Serge Fréchette as a temporary member (for a one-year term).

Biographical information on the appointees can be found below.

Biographical Notes

Cheryl Beckett has served as Legal Counsel to Juniper Networks Canada Inc., as Director of Contracts and Corporate Affairs for BTI Systems Inc., as Executive Vice-President/Legal & Corporate Secretary for March Networks Corporation, as Corporate Counsel for Mitel Networks Corporation, as Legal Counsel for Nortel Networks Limited and as an Associate with both Labarge Weinstein and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Toronto and is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Georges Bujold has served as Executive Director and General Counsel to the Occupational Health and Safety Tribunal Canada and as Counsel to the CITT. He also practiced international trade law in the private sector for many years, as Associate and Senior Associate with Thomas & Partners. He holds a Master's Degree in International Relations (M.A.) and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Laval University and is a member of the Quebec Bar.

Randolph Heggart has served as Senior Advisor to the Vice-President of Market Analysis and Indicators and Director of Housing Indicators and Analytics at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. His previous work with the CITT includes the positions of Research Director and Director of Trade Remedies Investigations, Associate Research Director, Secretary, and Manager of Investigations. Mr. Heggart holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Ottawa, a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) from Carleton University and a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation. Mr. Heggart is a Registered Professional Engineer in Ontario and a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Serge Fréchette has served as Vice President and Interim President of the CITT. He has practiced private law, including as a Partner with Thomas and Associates, and lectured on trade law at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law. He has also worked as a Department of Justice Lawyer on foreign trade and international commerce files, including work on updates to the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement, the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization Agreement. After graduating with a Bachelors degree in economics and law from the University of Ottawa, Mr. Fréchette studied for the Quebec Bar at the École du Barreau du Québec, and undertook post-graduate studies in international economics and policy development at the Institute for International Cooperation at the University of Ottawa and international business economics at the Faculty of Law at McGill University.

Quotes

"The Canadian International Trade Tribunal is recognized at home and around the world as a centre of excellence in the fair and timely adjudication of trade law matters. The significant business and legal experience that today's appointees bring with them will be a valuable asset to the Tribunal. I congratulate them on their appointments, and thank them on behalf of Canadians for their service."

Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance

Quick facts

  • The CITT is an independent quasi-judicial adjudicative body reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Finance. 

  • It conducts injury inquiries into dumping and subsidy complaints; hears appeals of decisions of the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canada Revenue Agency; inquires into complaints by potential suppliers concerning procurement by the federal government covered under various trade agreements; conducts safeguard inquiries; and provides advice to the Government and/or to the Minister of Finance on economic, trade and tariff issues. 

Associated links

Contacts

Media may contact:

Pierre-Olivier Herbert 
Press Secretary 
Office of the Minister of Finance
pierre-olivier.herbert@canada.ca 
613-369-5696

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
fin.media-media.fin@canada.ca
613-369-4000

General Enquiries

Phone: 613-369-3710
Facsimile: 613-369-4065
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: fin.financepublic-financepublique.fin@canada.ca

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