UCC-SPC mourns the loss of Nation Builder the Hon. Edward D. Bayda

b. 09 September 1931 (Alvena, SK)
d. 02 April 2010 (Turkey)

April 5, 2010 -- Edward Dmytro Bayda is the son of Dmytro Andrew and Mary (Bilinski). Following elementary school, he attended City Park Collegiate in Saskatoon. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1951 and two years later received his Bachelor of Laws Degree. He was admitted to the Bar in 1954.

Edward Bayda spent the next two decades practising civil and criminal law. Having graduated cum laude, it was his choice where to article. Fortunately, he chose to stay in Saskatchewan and began his distinguished career with MacPherson Leslie and Tyerman in Regina. As a young lawyer, he chose to move to Yorkton to work in a small law firm that offered him a wide variety of legal experience, from drafting wills to litigating criminal charges. After two years, Edward returned to Regina to work with Fredrick Johnson. The two personalities matched perfectly with a mixture of competiveness and communal ethos.

He served the legal profession as President of the Regina Bar Association, and Chair of the civil justice section of the provincial branch of the Canadian Bar Association and as a bencher of the Law Society. He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1966, to the Court of Queen’s Bench in 1972, and to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal in 1974. In 1981 Edward became the 7th Chief Justice of Saskatchewan. Edward was the youngest person ever to be appointed, the first Saskatchewan-born Chief Justice, and the first of Ukrainian descent to become the Chief Justice.

Chief Justice Bayda’s name is synonymous with significant judicial issues that faced Saskatchewan. Under his leadership, Saskatchewan developed one of the most respected Courts of Appeal in the nation. He made his mark early as Chief Justice in one of the most momentous cases to come before Canadian Courts - determining through the interpretation and application of the Charter of Rights the extent to which the State might lawfully infringe on individual freedoms.

In recognition of his accomplishments, both the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina bestowed upon him honorary doctorates of Law. He was the recipient of many awards and honours including: the University of Saskatchewan’s 100 Alumni of Influence (2007); the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (2008); and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Saskatchewan Provincial Council’s Nation Builders Award (2008). The Honourable Ed Bayda was also a recipient of the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, as well as the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal.

After serving 25 years as Chief Justice of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Edward Bayda returned to the private practice of law.

Judge Bayda leaves to mourn his present wife Lorraine Bethel and daughter Brydie Bethel, as well as six children by his first wife Yvonne (deceased), Paula Ainsley, Chris Bayda, Margot Brown, Marie-Therese Verma, Sheila Bayda and Kathryn Pasiuk.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Saskatchewan Provincial Council extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Chief Justice Bayda.

Вічна Йому Пам'ять! May He be Forever Remembered!

Regina Leader-Post article