This article is part of a section newsletter series spotlighting past Chairs of SAGDA
INTRODUCTION
Erfan Bhuyian, SAGDA’s outgoing Chair, is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion. He has been involved in various equity-seeking initiatives throughout his career, including his eight-year involvement with SAGDA and his service on the board of a Canadian charity focused on generating scholarships to advance 2SLGBTQIA+ and QTBOPIC studies. As a legal professional, he is focused on spearheading policy initiatives with the Ontario government and ensuring that the implementation of these policies is conducted in a reasonable and just manner.
BACKGROUND
Erfan was born and raised in Bangladesh. In pursuit of his legal career, Erfan moved to England, where he attended law school at the University of Leicester. During law school, Erfan began his involvement with legal volunteer initiatives through his membership in the Leicester University Law Society and the Canadian Law Society.
After graduating, Erfan moved to Canada and obtained a Master of Laws in International Business, Trade and Tax Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. At Osgoode, Erfan gained exposure to the intricacies of securities, tax and regulatory issues in cross-border transactions which would define much of his legal career.
Erfan spent his summer and articling term at the Ontario Securities Commission (“OSC”) where he focused on market regulation, crypto-asset compliance and exemptive relief under OSC Rules. Once called to the Ontario bar, he decided to pursue a legal career concentrated on government relations and policy-making. This decision led him to a three-year tenure at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, where he worked on the development and implementation of supervisory frameworks and policies aimed at improving consumer and pension plan beneficiary protections in Ontario. This experience helped Erfan gain subject matter expertise in financial regulation and capital markets.
Erfan is currently a Senior Policy Advisor for Ontario Finance.
INVOLVEMENT WITH SAGDA
Erfan first became involved with SAGDA prior his call to the bar, when he acted as an ad hoc volunteer during the 2016 Pride Parade. Erfan is a champion for diversity and inclusion, and SAGDA struck Erfan as an opportunity to use his legal expertise to advance the rights of equity-seeking groups. He decided that, upon being called to the bar, he would help SAGDA fulfill its mandate in advocating for the most pressing issues facing the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Following his call to the bar in 2020, Erfan joined the SAGDA Executive Committee and has served in various roles including as Public Liaison Officer and Vice Chair. From 2023 to 2024, Erfan had the honour of serving as the SAGDA Chair.
During his term, SAGDA acted as the first point of contact for numerous organizations seeking input and direction from the 2SLGBTQIA+ bar on pertinent topics such as the use of the notwithstanding clause, the use of pronouns in courts, and gender diversity issues across Canada. As Chair, he emphasized the importance of connecting these issues with Ontario stakeholders to ensure SAGDA could effectively advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ bar and the broader community.
Erfan decided to focus his term as Chair on celebrating identity and developing educational programming for non-2SLGBTQIA+ lawyers about issues facing the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As part of his commitment to education, Erfan was instrumental in facilitating mentorship and career growth for the 2SLGBTQIA+ members of the legal profession.
REASONABLE AND JUST POLICIES
Erfan has a career as a Senior Policy Advisor at Ontario Finance. Here, he previously worked on government initiatives related to Capital Markets and Agency Relations and is currently focused on Alcohol Policy and Marketplace Implementation.
His work involves developing policy changes that deliver on the objectives outlined within the Government of Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement, implementing these changes, and monitoring their financial, tax, market and/or legislative implications. While monitoring the implications, he recommends adjustments to the implemented policy changes, as needed. The nature of his role also leads him to work closely with the legislative council to recommend amendments to legislation to support policy implementation.
In doing so, Erfan ensures that all policy changes put forward to meet the Fall Economic Statement are reasonable and just. In his daily work, this requires him to critically analyze how amendments to policy, legislation or regulation can bring about the desired change effectively and efficiently, while minimizing disruption to existing policies and balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders.
Erfan is currently involved in the ongoing expansion of alcohol sales, which will see wine, beer, cider and coolers in convenience stores, grocery stores and other big-box stores across Ontario. Prior to this expansion, retail alcohol could only be sold at a Liquor Control Board of Ontario (“LCBO”) store. As outlined in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, this rollout is intended to broaden the business of the LCBO as a wholesaler in the retail alcohol marketplace, support businesses and promote small and Ontario-made beverage alcohol producers. Erfan plays a critical role in developing the necessary policy changes to ensure a practicable and smooth rollout of this initiative.
His experience in carefully assessing the impact of policy changes was invaluable when he led the effort to gather feedback from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community about the inclusivity of this section’s previous name “SOGIC” and whether it should be changed to “SAGDA”. He developed a working group comprised of section executive members to review national proposals and consultations from the Canadian Bar Association (which changed its name to SAGDA last year) and connect with stakeholders, including members of the two-spirited community, on the matter. The consultation process demonstrated broad support of the name change to SAGDA. The new name was formally adopted at the Annual General Meeting in June 2024.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Erfan continues to sit as an executive member of SAGDA and remains a mentor for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Although Erfan maintains a demanding and fulfilling career at the forefront of developing and improving policy affecting communities across Ontario, he is committed to supporting SAGDA initiatives throughout the year.
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