Toronto, Canada — A prominent Toronto attorney faced disciplinary action for professional misconduct after making contentious remarks in a legal affidavit. The lawyer had argued that a teenage girl involved in a sexual abuse lawsuit was not a child but a “sexually mature young woman.” The statement triggered widespread public backlash and prompted an investigation by Ontario’s legal regulator.
Gary McCallum, the attorney in question, represented Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services in a 2018 lawsuit when he described the 14- or 15-year-old plaintiff in terms that challenged legal definitions of childhood. According to Ontario laws, individuals under the age of 18 are legally recognized as children.
The comments, made public by a 2019 media report, led to an official investigation by the Law Society of Ontario. The ensuing legal scrutiny culminated in McCallum’s conviction of professional misconduct earlier this year. In response, the Law Society Tribunal reprimanded McCallum and imposed a fine. Furthermore, he was mandated to engage in educational programs concerning the dispelling of myths about sexual assault and maintaining professionalism in litigation. These courses have since been completed by McCallum.
Malcolm Mercer, the discipline panel chair, emphasized the responsibilities of lawyers in ensuring they do not further harm victims while pursuing justice in legal cases. Mercer highlighted the need for heightened awareness and better conduct within the legal profession, particularly in cases related to sexual abuse.
The backlash against McCallum originally stemmed from his work defending a claim alleging sexual abuse by a foster father in the 1980s. McCallum argued in a filed affidavit that the plaintiff, due to her age at the time of the alleged incidents, should be considered a “sexually mature young woman” rather than a child, conflicting with established conventions and Ontario child protection laws.
This portrayal led to immediate negative reactions both from the public and the professional community. The controversy deepened when it was discovered that the contentious statement was not included in the version of the affidavit that had been provided to McCallum’s client, leading to confusion and further scrutinization by both the affected parties and the media.
Following the exposure of these remarks and the public outrage, the agency that McCallum represented dismissed him. McCallum defended his choice of words at his disciplinary hearing, stating that the terminology aimed to draw a distinction between the age of the plaintiff and the defining characteristics of pedophilia. However, the disciplinary panel found this argument to be lacking in merit, considering his depiction hyperbolic and inappropriate.
Supporters of McCallum, including David James Elliott, who previously hired him for legal representation of the children’s aid society, have defended his general professionalism and expertise in handling similar cases. Despite these endorsements, McCallum’s actions have sparked a conversation about the sensitivity required in legal proceedings, especially those involving allegations of sexual abuse.
The case concludes with mixed reactions within the legal community about the adequacy of the disciplinary measures imposed on McCallum, reflecting ongoing debates about professional standards, victim protection, and legal ethics in cases involving young individuals and vulnerable populations.