Winston Lim Sayson

Winston Sayson, KC and his family immigrated from the Philippines to Canada in 1981. He earned his Bachelor of Arts (Major in Political Science,1985) and Juris Doctor (1988) degrees from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and served on the Executive of the UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program from 1985 to 1988.

In 1989, Sayson became the first Filipino-Chinese-Canadian Crown Counsel in British Columbia. For three decades (1989–2019), he served with excellence as a trial Crown Counsel with the BC Prosecution Service, prosecuting some of the most complex and sensitive cases. He developed expertise in prosecuting crimes against children and vulnerable victims, including cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and gender-based violence, and became a mentor and trainer for police and legal professionals.

Recognizing the challenges faced by traumatized witnesses, Sayson played a pivotal role in introducing accredited facility dogs to assist children and vulnerable individuals testifying in court. He also championed the use and advancement of forensic nursing, ensuring its integration within the Canadian criminal justice system.

The weight of his work—dealing with death, serious injuries, and violence—took a toll on him, reinforcing his commitment to and advocacy for mental health and wellness in the legal profession. While serving full-time as Crown Counsel, he pursued part-time studies in counselling, equipping himself to mentor and support others facing similar struggles.

Beyond his legal career, Sayson has been committed to community service. He has served as an emergency support services worker with the Canadian Red Cross. He is an advisor to the BC Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Christian Legal Fellowship and the Chinese Community Policing Centre (Vancouver, BC). He actively mentors law students, articling students, and new lawyers. He also guest lectures at UBC and Douglas College.

A passionate advocate for mental wellness, racial harmony, and victims’ rights, Sayson frequently speaks to legal professionals, community groups, and university students on these issues. He also teaches Discovery Classes, leads a Life Group at his church, and facilitated a ministry supporting children from broken families. Additionally, he is an avid student of Filipino martial arts.

Sayson is a distinguished Filipino-Chinese Canadian whose lifelong dedication to justice, service to victims and the community, and commitment to the rule of law exemplify the virtues of British Columbia’s Medal of Good Citizenship—the province’s second-highest honour.