Released on April 3, 2010
Justice Minister Don Morgan issued the following statement on the passing of Edward Bayda, former Chief Justice of Saskatchewan:
"The entire legal community will be saddened by this news. Chief Justice Bayda was not only a well respected judge of long standing, he was a friend to many of us. I appeared before him on occasion when he was still a sitting member of the Court of Appeal and, like other lawyers who had that privilege, remember his consideration to counsel, as well as his seemingly limitless patience and courtesy in the courtroom. He was a gentleman. It was also clear to any lawyer appearing in his courtroom or reading his judgments that he loved the law. He relished the role that judges play in articulating and shaping the law, but he understood the immediate, often personal, impact that judges' decisions have on the lives of ordinary people.
Among other things, Ed Bayda was a proud Canadian who was also proud of his Ukrainian heritage. He was the first judge of Ukrainian descent to be appointed this province's chief justice, and he was its longest serving chief justice.
On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan and Premier Wall, I want to extend our deepest sympathies to Chief Justice Bayda's family."
The flags at the provincial Legislature will be lowered to half staff in honour of former Chief Justice Bayda.
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For more information, contact:
Laur'Lei Silzer
Justice and Attorney General
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0775
Email: laurlei.silzer@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-0074