Canadian civil rights lawyer and activist Clayton Ruby has died

Prominent Canadian civil rights lawyer and activist Clayton Ruby has died, CTV News has confirmed.

Ruby, who was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2006, died Tuesday. The Toronto native was 80.

During his long legal career, Ruby represented numerous high-profile clients, most notably Guy Paul Morin, who was wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of eight-year-old Christine Jessup in October 1984.

Back in 2012, Ruby successfully represented private citizen Paul Mather in a conflict of interest case against former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who was briefly ordered removed from office. In the end, Ford appealed and won. However, he was ordered to return about $3,000 in donations he solicited from lobbyists for his personal soccer foundation when he was a city councilor.

Another one of Ruby’s most notable clients is former NDP MP Svend Robinson, who in February 1994 attended Sue Rodriguez’s illegal medical. In the end, Robinson was not charged.

In a tweet, Robinson called his “dear friend” a “giant in the legal profession, a pillar of the progressive community, and a fine and decent human being, man.”

Heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend Clay Ruby. A giant in the legal profession, a pillar of progressive society and a fine and dignified man, man. Condolences to Harriet, Emma and Kate and all who knew and loved him as Max and I did. Rest in strength. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dgZtYn9xJF

— Svend Robinson (@SvendJRobinson) August 3, 2022

Among other things, Ruby has also played an important role in the fight for the rights of LGBTQ people in Canada. He successfully took on the federal government when he defended Michelle Douglas, who was fired from the Canadian Forces in 1989 because of her sexual orientation. Douglas started a lawsuit that ended the military’s discriminatory policies against gays and lesbians.

So sorry to hear about Clayton Ruby’s passing. He was a legal giant and championed the rights of #LGBT ppl, especially when he stood up to the federal government for firing @MDouglas_YOW from the military because of her sexual orientation. @CanadaRainbow pic.twitter.com/uDRXA4iGmf

— TDotGayCop (@TDotGayCop) August 3, 2022

Specialist in criminal, constitutional, administrative and civil law, author of several law textbooks.

Ruby leaves behind his wife, Harriet Sachs, an Ontario Superior Court judge, and their children, Emma and Kate.

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