Caryma Sa'd
{{Short description|Canadian lawyer, activist, independent citizen journalist }}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Caryma Sa'd
| birth_place = Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|31|2021|3|30}}
| education = University of Ottawa
| occupation = Lawyer
| known_for = Landlord and tenant legal work, cannabis law, documenting protests
| website = {{URL|https://carymasad.com/}}
}}
Caryma Fayez Sa'd{{cite web |title=2020 ONSC 170 (CanLii) Hall Q v. Biason CanLii |url=https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onscdc/doc/2020/2020onsc170/2020onsc170.html |website=CanLii |access-date=15 February 2024 |date=January 10, 2020}} (born {{birth based on age as of date|31|2021|3|30|noage=1|slash=y}}) is a Canadian lawyer. She is known for documenting events at anti-COVID-19-lockdown protests in Canada and other protests.{{Cite web|last=Leck|first=Sebastian|date=2021-03-30|title=How this young lawyer works to tackle Toronto's eviction crisis|url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/03/29/news/how-young-lawyer-works-tackle-torontos-eviction-crisis|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-04|website=Canada's National Observer|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330174804/https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/03/29/news/how-young-lawyer-works-tackle-torontos-eviction-crisis |archive-date=2021-03-30 }}
Early life and education
Sa'd was born to an Indian mother and a Palestinian father, and grew up in Mississauga, Ontario. She studied law at the University of Ottawa.{{Cite news|last=Gibson|first=Victoria|date=2017-07-25|title=Lawyer seeks out accused in hostage-taking|language=en-CA|work=The Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/25/lawyer-seeks-out-accused-in-hostage-taking.html|access-date=2021-11-04|issn=0319-0781}}
Legal career
After articling in a Bay Street law firm, and working for Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP, Sa'd launched her own practice that specializes in criminal, housing, and cannabis law in 2017.{{Cite news|last=Macnab|first=Aiden|date=19 Nov 2020|title=Legal clinics across Ontario decry access-to-justice barriers at Landlord and Tenant Board Hearings|url=https://www.lawtimesnews.com/practice-areas/real-estate/legal-clinics-across-ontario-decry-access-to-justice-barriers-at-landlord-and-tenant-board-hearings/335412|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-04|website=Law Times News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119115622/https://www.lawtimesnews.com/practice-areas/real-estate/legal-clinics-across-ontario-decry-access-to-justice-barriers-at-landlord-and-tenant-board-hearings/335412 |archive-date=2020-11-19 }}{{Cite web|last=Cain|first=Patrick|date=2021-03-10|title=Fewer than 400 people pardoned under new system for erasing old weed convictions|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/fewer-than-400-people-pardoned-under-new-system-for-erasing-old-weed-convictions-1.5341579|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-04|website=CTV News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310191625/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/fewer-than-400-people-pardoned-under-new-system-for-erasing-old-weed-convictions-1.5341579 |archive-date=2021-03-10 }}{{Cite web|last=Laidlaw|first=Katherine|date=2019-09-04|title=These lawyers fight for the disenfranchised and still manage to pay the rent|url=https://lawandstyle.ca/career/cover-story-these-lawyers-fight-for-the-disenfranchised-and-still-manage-to-pay-the-rent/|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-08|website=Precedent|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027174742/https://lawandstyle.ca/career/cover-story-these-lawyers-fight-for-the-disenfranchised-and-still-manage-to-pay-the-rent/ |archive-date=2020-10-27 }} She serves on the advisory board of Legal Line,{{Cite web|url=https://www.legalline.ca/board-advisors/|title=Board of Advisors}} and in 2019 ran unsuccessfully to be a bencher at the Law Society of Ontario, finishing in 28th place with 15.8% of the vote.{{Cite web|title=Law society bencher candidates include cannabis specialist|url=https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/law-society-bencher-candidates-include-cannabis-specialist|date=16 April 2019|access-date=2021-11-04|work=London Free Press|last=Carruthers|first=Dale|language=en-CA}}{{Cite web|last=Amanda|first=Joerome|date=February 25, 2019|title=Diversity needed some bencher candidates say, as debate over statement of principles continues|url=https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/10426/diversity-needed-some-bencher-candidates-say-as-debate-over-statement-of-principles-continues|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-04|website=The Lawyers Daily|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020113248/https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/10426/diversity-needed-some-bencher-candidates-say-as-debate-over-statement-of-principles-continues |archive-date=2020-10-20 }}{{Cite web|title=Canadian Hispanic Bar Association {{!}} The CHBA endorses Caryma Sa'd for Bencher!|url=https://www.chbalegal.com/news/the-chba-endorses-caryma-sad-for-bencher|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-02|website=Canadian Hispanic Bar Association|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925224206/https://chbalegal.com/news/the-chba-endorses-caryma-sad-for-bencher/ |archive-date=2020-09-25 }}[https://lawsocietyontario.azureedge.net/media/lso/media/about/governance/2019-lawyer-tabulation.pdf ELECTED BENCHERS MEMBRES DU CONSEIL ÉLUS] She ran again in 2023 and came in 38th place with 8.6% of the vote.{{Cite web| title=2023 Elected benchers | url=https://lawsocietyontario.azureedge.net/media/lso/media/about/2023%20bencher%20election/2023-elected-benchers-lawyers.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501142710/https://lawsocietyontario.azureedge.net/media/lso/media/about/2023%20bencher%20election/2023-elected-benchers-lawyers.pdf | archive-date=2023-05-01}}
In 2019, Sa'd represented tenants displaced by a fatal fire from 235 Gosford Boulevard apartment block in Toronto. She organized an open letter to Toronto Mayor John Tory, requesting him to block reoccupation of the building until air quality issues were addressed.{{Cite news|last=Sasitharan|first=Kirthana|date=Dec 28, 2019|title=These Gosford fire residents aren't satisfied with air quality, safety measures of building|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gosford-fire-residents-reassurance-landlord-city-air-quality-1.5409899}}{{Cite news|date=Dec 7, 2019|title=Tenants demand answers from landlord in wake of fatal North York fire|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gosford-boulevard-fatal-fire-tenants-rally-1.5388308}}
In 2021, Sa'd represented tenants who rented illegal apartments from Toronto landlord Brad J. Lamb, pushing for financial compensation for those evicted,{{Cite news|last=McKeen|first=Alex|date=2021-03-15|title='I never want to displace anyone.' Landlord offers reimbursement for tenants evacuated from illegal apartments|language=en-CA|work=The Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/03/15/i-never-want-to-displace-anyone-landlord-offers-reimbursement-for-tenants-evacuated-from-illegal-apartments-on-bloor-street.html|access-date=2021-11-04|issn=0319-0781}}{{Cite news|last=Salem|first=Zena|date=2021-03-29|title=Landlord, former tenants reach agreement to cover costs after sudden evacuation of illegal Bloor West|language=en-CA|work=The Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/03/28/landlord-former-tenants-reach-agreement-to-cover-costs-after-sudden-evacuation-of-illegal-bloor-west-apartment-units.html|access-date=2022-01-02|issn=0319-0781}} and persuaded a judge to give more time to two tenants whose rent was delayed due to hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news|last=Gibson|first=Victoria|date=2021-04-07|title=Landlord should have negotiated with tenants' union in rent repayment deal, says Ontario Landlord and Tenant|language=en-CA|work=The Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/04/07/landlord-should-have-negotiated-with-tenants-union-in-rent-repayment-deal-says-ontario-landlord-and-tenant-board-decision.html|access-date=2021-11-04|issn=0319-0781}}
In 2023, Sa'd was herself the subject of an order evicting her from her residential premises in Toronto after she failed to show for her own hearing before the Landlord and Tenant Board.{{Cite web | title=2023 ONLTB 71873 (CanLII) {{!}} Peng v Sa'd {{!}} CanLII | url=https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onltb/doc/2023/2023onltb71873/2023onltb71873.html | access-date=2025-02-01 | website=www.canlii.org}}
Art and activism
= Cannabis activism =
In 2019, Sa'd described Ontario's lottery system of providing retail cannabis licences as "unfair" because it excluded potential licensees based on luck, not experience or relevant skills.[14] In 2021, she campaigned for the rights of small cannabis businesses, and criticized Facebook and Instagram for blocking their posts despite the legality of selling cannabis in Canada.[15]
Sa'd co-founded 420 Cannabis Court, a pop-up outdoor cannabis-friendly lounge that existed during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns and hosted live comedy acts.{{cite news |title=Toronto is getting a socially distant weed-friendly lounge: 420 Cannabis Court |url=https://calgaryherald.com/cannabis-culture/toronto-is-getting-a-socially-distant-weed-friendly-lounge-420-cannabis-court |access-date=December 23, 2023 |work=Calgary Herald |date=June 20, 2020}} From March 2020 to October 2021 she was the executive director of the Canadian branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).{{Cite web |last=Gamage |first=Michelle |date=2020-03-31 |title=NORML Canada's new executive director Caryma Sa'd explains how legalization went wrong: Q&A |url=https://mugglehead.com/norml-canadas-new-executive-director-caryma-sad-explains-how-legalization-went-wrong/ |access-date=2022-01-02 |website=Mugglehead Magazine |language=en-US}}{{cite news |last1=Siebert |first1=Amanda |title=NORML Canada finds a new director in Caryma Sa'd |url=https://calyxandtrichomes.com/norml-canada-finds-a-new-director-in-caryma-sad/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Inside the Jar |date=March 25, 2020}}{{cite news |title=Kingston woman named head of cannabis advocacy group NORML |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8325602/norml-canada-cannabis-kingston-woman/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Global News |date=October 26, 2021}}
=== 2021-2022 anti-vaccine protests ===
Throughout 2021, Sa'd documented and published footage of anti-vaccination and COVID-19 anti-lockdown protests in Toronto.{{Cite news |last=Jane Gerster and Greg Ross |date=Aug 31, 2021 |title=Ontario NDP pushes for safety zones as anti-vaccine protests continue to plague restaurants |work=CBC |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-ndp-pushes-for-safety-zones-as-anti-vaccine-protests-continue-to-plague-restaurants-1.6160190}} In July 2021, she invited anti-lockdown activist Chris Sky to appear in front of an audience at her venue in Toronto's Chinatown for a live interview.{{cite news |title=Toronto lawyer Caryma Sa'd to take on anti-lockdown celeb Chris Sky in online interview |url=https://nowtoronto.com/news/toronto-lawyer-caryma-sad-to-take-on-anti-lockdown-celeb-chris-sky-in-online-interview |access-date=December 23, 2022 |work=NOW Magazine |date=July 7, 2021}} A community group, Friends of Chinatown, and other tenants in the mall that the interview was to be held in urged her to cancel the event due to concerns for community safety.{{cite news |title=Neighbours urge lawyer Caryma Sa'd to cancel anti-masker debate |url=https://nowtoronto.com/news/neighbours-urge-lawyer-caryma-sad-to-cancel-anti-masker-debate |access-date=December 23, 2022 |work=NOW Magazine |date=July 9, 2022}} Sa'd refused the request but the event was cancelled nevertheless after proper precautions were not taken and community groups, residents and concerned parties showed up to protest Sky and police had to be called to break up a number of scuffles.{{Cite web|last=DiMatteo|first=Enzo|date=2021-07-21|title=Caryma Sa'd makes no apologies|url=https://nowtoronto.com/news/activist-lawyer-at-the-centre-of-recent-anti-mask-melee-has-found-a-new-venue-for|access-date=2022-01-02|website=NOW Magazine|language=en-US|archive-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102140550/https://nowtoronto.com/news/activist-lawyer-at-the-centre-of-recent-anti-mask-melee-has-found-a-new-venue-for|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Mira |date=25 Feb 2021 |title=Toronto lawyer creates humorous comics to highlight issues of the day |url=https://www.blogto.com/arts/2021/02/toronto-lawyer-comics-highlight-issues/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-01-02 |website=www.blogto.com |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225184713/https://www.blogto.com/arts/2021/02/toronto-lawyer-comics-highlight-issues/ |archive-date=2021-02-25 }}
In 2022, she spent weeks in Ottawa documenting the Canada convoy protest before live tweeting the bail hearings of Pat King and Tamara Lich.{{Cite web |last=Olinjyk |first=Zena |date=22 Feb 2022 |title=How Caryma Sa'd has been a 'fly on the wall' at the Ottawa blockade |url=https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/resources/practice-management/how-caryma-sad-has-been-a-fly-on-the-wall-at-the-ottawa-blockade/364226 |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=www.canadianlawyermag.com |language=en}}
=== Canadian Anti-Hate Network ===
Sa'd went to and published videos of herself at the home of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network's chair emeritus Bernie Farber.{{Cite web | url=https://assets.nationbuilder.com/antihate/pages/1285/attachments/original/1732814620/LSO_closure_ltr_Farber.pdf?1732814620 | title=Caryma Fayez Sa'd | website=assets.nationbuilder.com}} This led to an investigation by the Law Society of Ontario that found Sa'd
- failed to act with honour and integrity
- engaged in harassing, and/or discriminatory conduct
- engaged in conduct that tends to bring discredit upon the legal profession.
In 2023, Sa'd sued the Canadian Anti-Hate Network due to circumstances surrounding the protests against the Chinatown event and its cancellation. The action was dismissed on September 25, 2023 as having "no reasonable cause of action and therefore has no reasonable prospect of success" with Sa'd ordered to pay CAHN's legal costs.{{cite news |title=STATEMENT REGARDING A LAWSUIT FILED BY CARYMA SA'D |url=https://www.antihate.ca/statement_regarding_a_lawsuit_filed_by_caryma_sa_d |access-date=December 24, 2023 |work=Canadian Anti-Hate Network |date=September 25, 2023}}
=== Other activism ===
Sa'd was arrested for trespassing by Ontario Provincial Police on May 26, 2022, as she tried to enter political rally for Doug Ford at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.{{Cite news |last=Hristova |first=Bobby |date=8 Nov 2022 |title=Trespassing charge against Toronto lawyer arrested at Ford rally withdrawn in Hamilton |work=CBC |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/airport-arrest-doug-ford-rally-caryma-sad-court-1.6644130}}{{Cite web |last=Oromoni |first=Annabel |date=29 May 2022 |title=Lawyer Caryma Sa'd arrested and charged for allegedly trespassing at Premier Doug Ford's rally |url=https://www.lawtimesnews.com/news/general/lawyer-caryma-sad-arrested-and-charged-for-allegedly-trespassing-at-premier-doug-fords-rally/366994 |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=www.lawtimesnews.com |language=en}} Charges were dropped on November 8, 2022.{{Cite news |last=O'Reilly |first=Nicole |date=2022-11-10 |title=Trespass charge dropped against lawyer arrested at Ford campaign stop in Hamilton |language=en |work=The Hamilton Spectator |url=https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2022/11/10/caryma-sad-charge-dropped-ford-campaign-rally-hamilton.html |access-date=2022-11-12 |issn=1189-9417}}
In December 2023, Sa'd filmed some Moxies workers in downtown Toronto who had stepped outside their restaurant to cheer on an anti-war, pro-Palestinian march during the Gaza war. The workers were later terminated by the company.{{Cite news |last=Basu |first=Brishti |date=December 22, 2023 |title='Chilling effect': People expressing pro-Palestinian views censured, suspended from work and school |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/chilling-effect-pro-palestinian-1.7064510 |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=CBC News}}{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Katie |date=November 4, 2023 |title='I will never return to Moxies': Restaurant chain criticized for firing employees after pro-Palestine march |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/moxies-restaurant-criticized-firing-employees-pro-palestine-march-193609364.html |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=Yahoo! News}}
Family life
References
{{reflist}}
{{Canada convoy protest}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sad, Caryma}}
Category:Activists from Ontario
Category:Canadian cannabis activists
Category:People from Mississauga
Category:21st-century Canadian lawyers
Category:21st-century Canadian women lawyers
Category:Canada convoy protest
Category:Canadian political commentators
Category:Canadian people of Palestinian descent