Legal group apologizes after cancellation of noted Syrian Canadian speech sparks 'profound' reaction

A prominent Canadian legal association is apologizing after it cancelled a keynote speech by Syrian Canadian humanitarian advocate Tareq Hadhad, prompting sharp criticism from many of its members.

Last Friday, CBC News was first to report that The Advocates' Society rescinded an invitation for Hadhad, founder of Peace by Chocolate, to deliver a keynote speech, saying some members expressed concerns about his position on Israel's war in Gaza.

Now, the organization says it's acknowledging the "profound reactions" surrounding its decision. 

"Our members have expressed deep concerns with the way our decisions were made, the basis for them and with the lack of diverse consultation in our deliberations," it said in a statement Friday.

"We hear you. We are sorry and regret the harm we have caused," it said, adding "through these decisions and related communications we have not fully lived up to our mission and core values."

CBC News has asked The Advocates' Society if it now plans to reverse its decision and is awaiting a response.

The statement comes after a wave of lawyers resigned from the legal organization including high profile criminal lawyer Marie Henein, who served as president of TAS from 2010 to 2011.

Litigator Danielle Robitaille also confirmed she cancelled her membership and an upcoming speaking engagement over the move.

"Personally, it is very difficult for me to align myself with an advocates' organization that cancels speakers because we may disagree with them," Robitaille wrote in a social media post this week.

"I continue to engage with leadership and membership at the TAS to see if there is a path forward for the organization. In the meantime, I am out."

Employment and human rights lawyer Arleen Huggins cancelled her membership as well. "Rather than engaging in dialogue, there are those who, in the Trumpian manner, want to cancel and stifle free thought and speech, and wish to use associations such as the Advocates' Society to do so," wrote Huggins in a letter to TAS.

As CBC News reported last week, TAS, which says on its website that it was "established to ensure the presence of a courageous and independent bar," rescinded Hadhad's speaking invitation at its upcoming end-of-term dinner in Toronto after it said some members had raised concerns about his "public posts on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East."

The message did not point to any specific posts made by Hadhad or elaborate on what about them raised concerns.

The Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association (CMLA) previously told CBC News that when it pressed the organization for specifics, it was told the concerns stemmed from complaints about Hadhad's use of the term "genocide" on social media, adding he had not provided what they deemed "equal comment" on other impacted groups.