When is conflict of interest not conflict of interest? Never if you have taken money in the past or some form of compensation. Or you are now taking monies under a retainer to act on the behalf of a party or institution. That is a conflict no matter how you frame it. In this regard I have officially rejected the Government of Canada's nomination for their party-appointed arbitrator due to conflict of interest. Indeed their where so many conflicts I begin to wonder did the Government of Canada ju… Continue

Especially health care in Canada



By Melvin J. Howad



The Government of Canada and I have an agreed on a proposal for moving forward to arbitration. But not after I had made an enquiry to the World Bank, which oversees the ICSID about a potential conflict.

What is ICSID?
ICSID oversees arbitrations arising under the 1965 “Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes Between States and Nationals of other States” (usually referred to as the “Washington Convention”) from investment disp… Continue

Surely you jest how can that be by

Melvin J. Howard

As the US tackles its health care issues Canada has yet to admit that they have one. Deniability seems to be the word of the day for Canada’s health care system I hear the word sacred a lot being referred by Canadians to their health care system. As though their health care system they have was somehow ordained by God. It is this illusion that will be the eventual downfall of the system. Canada often attacks the US on a number of issues but h… Continue

Centurion has completed its selection process for Arbitrators and we have selected our party-appointed arbitrator for our NAFTA proceedings against the Government of Canada. In summary after interning at the American Civil Liberties Union and clerking for a US Federal Judge where they drafted judicial decisions on a range of diverse issues of law, including contract disputes, federal habeas corpus review of death penalty cases and employment discrimination claims. After leaving a large law firm… Continue

Because Quebec has seen the free trade light they are not waiting around for the rest of Canada to come out of the dark ages. Through a little know piece of legislation called Bill 33 the Province of Quebec has allowed private surgical clinics to bill patients and the government at the same time. Under Bill 33, adopted by the National Assembly, clinics can charge patients ''accessory fees'' for the use of a private operating room, equipment and even some personnel. Two-tiered systems end up cost… Continue