Day 16
Note: I am a poor note-taker and these summaries will contain errors and omissions which will reflect my limitations. My intention is to report on the facts as accurately as possible although a subconscious bias may creep in. I can only provide glimpses into what I see as relevant and interesting events. My goal is to capture the essence of the day’s events rather than be comprehensive.
Read the reference documents: The Legal Case and Events Leading to Trial to obtain an understanding of the case and its history. Names and terms are abbreviated and defined in Glossary.
Overview of Day 16
Day 16 focused on evidence relating to the personal, professional, and reputational consequences Ms. Ford experienced following the publication of the March 18 Press Progress article. Three witnesses—her mother, her former husband, and a senior professional recruiter—provided testimony illustrating the profound impact on Ms. Ford’s mental health, family life, social relationships, and employment prospects. In addition, testimony from a prominent constitutional‑rights advocate highlighted the extent to which Ms. Ford’s reputation rendered her “toxic” even within organizations ideologically aligned with her prior work.
The day’s evidence collectively emphasized:
the long‑term emotional and psychological toll on Ms. Ford and her family
the collapse of her social and community relationships
the professional doors that closed to her because of online allegations
the broader reputational harm that persisted years after her resignation
No cross‑examinations occurred for two of the witnesses, and the testimony proceeded efficiently, building a cumulative picture of reputational damage and its real‑world consequences.
Day 16
Direct Examination of Cynthia Mackenzie
By Richard Harrison, Counsel for the Plaintiff
Ms. Cynthia Mackenzie testified on behalf of her daughter, Ms. Ford. She is a Calgary real estate agent.
Background and Early Life
Ms. Ford was born and raised in Calgary.
Ms. Mackenzie and her husband separated when Ms. Ford was 13; Ms. Ford lived with her mother thereafter.
At age 14, while still in junior high, Ms. Ford learned about Calgary’s alternative high school and wished to attend, though it only admitted high‑school students.
She independently approached the principal to request admission.
The principal agreed to accept her if she met certain academic objectives and if students and staff approved.
Ms. Ford met the objectives, was accepted by the school community, and enrolled.
Human Rights Interests
While attending the alternative high school, Ms. Ford developed a strong interest in human rights issues and became a practitioner of Falun Gong.
She focused on Chinese human rights concerns and taught herself Mandarin using a computer‑based program.
Her advocacy centered on assisting prisoners of conscience in China.
During her undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary, she frequently communicated with individuals overseas at all hours.
Education, Early Adulthood, and Return to Calgary
Ms. Ford lived in the Sunnyside district during her undergraduate years.
After completing her first Master’s degree and marrying, she lived and worked in Ottawa and Toronto.
In 2016, she and her husband began considering a return to Calgary.
They purchased a home in July 2017, took possession in November, renovated it, and moved in February 2018.
Political Involvement and Aftermath
In 2018, Ms. Ford sought the UCP nomination in the Mountainview riding.
She worked extremely hard, door‑knocking through winter while pregnant or nursing.
Ms. Mackenzie described her as honest, attentive, and persuasive, winning supporters one at a time.
After Ms. Ford’s resignation, she fell into a deep depression.
Ms. Mackenzie testified that Ms. Ford “lost herself,” and nothing seemed to help.
The sudden rise and fall was difficult to explain to friends.
Ms. Mackenzie lost one of her closest friends due to online information about Ms. Ford.
People still avoid discussing Ms. Ford with her.
There was no cross‑examination. Ms. Mackenzie was excused.
Direct Examination of Andrew Crooks
By Richard Harrison, Counsel for the Plaintiff
Mr. Andrew Crooks testified on behalf of Ms. Ford. He is a retired lawyer active in philanthropic, cultural, and political organizations, a former member of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, and currently Chair of the Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF).
Background and Impressions of Ms. Ford
In 2019 and today, Mr. Crooks serves as Chair of the CCF, a non‑partisan national charity focused on constitutional rights, government accountability, and public education.
The CCF oversees the Runnymede Society, which promotes rule‑of‑law debates among law students and lawyers.
Its membership includes former attorneys general, judges, professors, and politicians.
After Ms. Ford resigned as a candidate, Mr. Crooks met her at a Civitas Canada conference.
He formed a highly favorable impression of her: strong academic credentials, effective committee and board contributor, and experienced fundraiser.
Attempt to Nominate Ms. Ford to the CCF Board
Mr. Crooks proposed Ms. Ford as a potential board member.
The Foundation’s manager “recoiled in horror” at the suggestion.
Mr. Crooks informally raised the idea at a board meeting; it was “shot down in flames” with an enthusiastic negative response.
He testified that Ms. Ford was considered “toxic” due to reputational damage.
The Foundation could not risk the reputational consequences of associating with her.
Cross‑Examination by Ben Franken, Counsel for Avnish Nanda
Mr. Crooks was involved with Canada Strong and Free.
He had delivered a land acknowledgement but generally objects to land acknowledgements.
He maintains a website and blog, including a post about “Wokeness.”
Mr. Crooks was excused.
Direct Examination of Jared Pearman
By Richard Harrison, Counsel for the Plaintiff
Mr. Jared Pearman, Ms. Ford’s former husband and father of their two daughters, testified on her behalf. He is a writer, producer, and video‑game designer.
The Rise and Fall
Mr. Pearman met Ms. Ford while working in Washington, D.C. as a producer for National Geographic. He encouraged her to complete her undergraduate degree in Washington, which she did.
They married in 2008 and divorced in 2024.
They have two daughters, now aged 8 and 10.
When Ms. Ford sought the UCP nomination in Mountainview, the family went “all in.”
Mr. Pearman became the primary caregiver, largely giving up his career; they lived on an inheritance from his father.
Ms. Ford worked intensely on her campaign, including door‑knocking while nursing.
Impact of the Press Progress Article
When the March 18 Press Progress article was published, Mr. Pearman believed all allegations were false.
He expected people to defend Ms. Ford, but they did not.
As public hostility grew, Ms. Ford became severely depressed.
She spent afternoons alone in her bedroom crying; her only joy came from their children.
Their eldest daughter, Everen, noticed her mother’s distress and tried to comfort her.
Parents at Everen’s preschool became aware of allegations that Ms. Ford was a white supremacist; the family was shunned.
Their social life collapsed, and they became isolated.
For Ms. Ford’s September birthday, Mr. Pearman and Mr. Valliani attempted to organize a party, but no one would attend.
Mr. Pearman wrote a poem, To Know the Mobs of Modern Days, to lift her spirits.
March 18 and the Aftermath
When Ms. Ford returned home after resigning, Mr. Pearman was angry and wanted her to fight.
Ms. Ford remained dignified and stoic, believing she could not win.
Their hopes and dreams, invested in her political future, were shattered in one night.
Mr. Pearman deleted his social media due to the volume of negative posts.
Ms. Ford’s depression deepened as redemption seemed impossible.
She was disappointed that Mr. Pearman had no career to fall back on and no solution to offer.
He wished he had done better; he tried but felt he failed.
Living with someone experiencing acute depression was extremely difficult.
Their relationship deteriorated; Mr. Pearman became depressed, began drinking, gained weight, and accumulated credit‑card debt.
Attempts at Redemption
Ms. Ford wrote and directed a two‑hour autobiographical documentary, When The Mob Came, which Mr. Pearman co‑produced.
He attempted to market it, but no one would engage due to Ms. Ford’s reputational damage.
The theatre scheduled to host the premiere cancelled for the same reason.
Ms. Ford later founded the Calgary Classical Academy charter school and became its Chief Development Officer in 2023.
Mr. Pearman described it as “the best school in Canada.”
About Ms. Ford
Her credo is “truth, compassion, and tolerance.”
She never made derisive comments about anyone.
She was neither homophobic nor Islamophobic; their best friend, Mr. Valliani, is Muslim.
Cross‑Examination by Amy Cooper, Counsel for the Toronto Star and Ms. McIntosh
Mr. Pearman met Jivraj only once; when he arrived at a lunch between Ms. Ford and Jivraj, Jivraj left.
He did not know about the extensive Facebook messages between Ms. Ford and Jivraj.
He did not know Ms. Ford had deleted the messages.
Although divorced, he and Ms. Ford cooperate well in raising their daughters. He made their breakfast, took them to school that day, and cares for them while Ms. Ford attends court.
Mr. Pearman was excused.
Direct Examination of Susan Besler
By Richard Harrison, Counsel for the Plaintiff
Ms. Susan Besler testified on behalf of Ms. Ford. She holds a B.Comm., has been a chartered nurse and registered accountant, and is now a senior consultant at Amrop Rosin, an executive search firm.
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce Recruitment
In 2019, Ms. Besler was assisting the Calgary Chamber of Commerce in hiring a Director of Communications—a senior policy and government‑relations role.
Her research identified Ms. Ford as a strong candidate, particularly due to her experience as a senior policy advisor with Foreign Affairs.
Ms. Ford warned that her recent history might impede her candidacy.
A Google search by Ms. Besler revealed allegations that Ms. Ford was a white supremacist, had made controversial statements, and had resigned as a candidate.
Based on this, the Chamber eliminated Ms. Ford from consideration.
Ms. Besler informed Ms. Ford that they could not proceed due to her controversial history.
There was no cross‑examination. Ms. Besler was excused.
Comment
Ms. Ford’s reputational damage prevented her from joining a prestigious national board.
It also prevented her from securing employment commensurate with her qualifications and experience.
Mr. Pearman’s poem To Know the Mobs of Modern Days used a distinctive structure: eight stanzas, each with eight lines of eight syllables. [click HERE to view]