Barry W. Bussey
Barrister & Solicitor
Barry W. Bussey
Barrister & Solicitor
Barry has practised law for over 30 years, and he still loves what he does. Whether it's helping a young family close on their first home, guiding someone through estate planning for the people they love, or advising a charity on how to stay in good standing with the CRA – Barry brings the same care and attention to every file.
He began his career in general practice in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1993, was called to the Ontario Bar in 1996. He took over the practice from Gary Ainsworth in 2023 – keeping the firm's deep roots in Peterborough while bringing decades of his own experience to the work. Along the way, he earned a PhD in law from Leiden University in the Netherlands and has argued cases at every level of the Canadian legal system, including multiple appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada. That national experience shapes how he serves his Peterborough clients – bringing a depth of legal knowledge and advocacy skill that is rare in a local practice.
Barry has a genuine passion for the non-profit sector – he's spent much of his career working alongside charities, faith-based organizations, and community groups, and he understands the unique challenges they face. That same love of community extends beyond the office: Bussey Ainsworth is a proud sponsor of the Peterborough Singers, and you'll regularly find Barry and his family at local events and concerts.
Barry's clients know him as someone who picks up the phone, explains things plainly, and treats every matter – big or small – like it matters. Because it does.
Practice Areas
Barry's practice covers the legal needs of individuals, families, and organizations across Peterborough and the Kawarthas:
Degrees: B.A. (Burman University), LL.B. (Western University), M.A. (Memorial University), LL.M. (York University), M.P.A.C.S. (University of Waterloo), Ph.D. (Leiden University)
Scholarship & Advocacy
In addition to his Peterborough practice, Barry is a published legal scholar and advocate for civil liberties in Canada and internationally.
He served as in-house legal counsel for Christian organizations in Ontario for over two decades, and founded the First Freedoms Foundation in 2021 to advocate for freedom of speech, religion, conscience, and inviolability of the person. He has served as a representative of the International Religious Liberty Association in Washington, D.C., New York, and Geneva, and has sat on boards for religious charities, high schools, a university, and government advisory committees.
Barry has argued before administrative tribunals and various levels of court, including serving as intervener counsel in five cases before the Supreme Court of Canada. He held an appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Notre Dame Australia (Sydney), and in 2012 received the Diamond Jubilee Medal for religious freedom work in Canada and abroad.
In 2000, he was the Canadian Alliance candidate in the federal election in Oshawa.
Publications
Barry is the author and editor of several legal works, including:
- The Status of Religion and the Public Benefit in Charity Law (2020), Anthem Press
- The Inherence of Human Dignity, Volumes I & II (2021), Anthem Press (co-editor with Angus Menuge)
- Religion, Liberty and the Jurisdictional Limits of Law (2017), LexisNexis (co-editor with Iain T. Benson)
Follow his scholarship on SSRN and Academia.
See Also: Publications | Speaking Engagements | Conscience & Rights
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