Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Bernier defamation suit should be tossed: Kinsella

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Jun, 2021 01:04 PM
  • Bernier defamation suit should be tossed: Kinsella

A prominent political commentator is asking a court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit from a former member of Parliament who is now leader of a fringe federal political party.

A lawyer for Warren Kinsella is arguing in Ontario Superior Court the suit from People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier is a strategic action intended to silence expression in the public interest.

Strategic lawsuits against public participation — known as SLAPPs — are levied against people or organizations that take a position on an issue, with the aim of limiting their free speech.

In response to a spate of such cases, Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec have enacted laws to curb them.

Bernier alleges Kinsella repeatedly branded him as a racist on social media and blog posts before, during and after the 2019 federal election campaign.

Kinsella's lawyer, David Shiller, says his client's style is caustic and direct, but that does not mean his speech or expression is entitled to any less protection.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. woman hurt by aggressive doe protecting fawn

B.C. woman hurt by aggressive doe protecting fawn
A British Columbia woman says she needed hospital treatment for injuries including gashes and deep bruises after being attacked by a deer defending its fawn.

B.C. woman hurt by aggressive doe protecting fawn

PM defends Sajjan after House censures minister

PM defends Sajjan after House censures minister
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending embattled Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan after the latter was censured by the House of Commons.

PM defends Sajjan after House censures minister

Feds roll over border restrictions to July 21

Feds roll over border restrictions to July 21
The measures at the border to restriction non-essential international travel have been in place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Feds roll over border restrictions to July 21

Feds look to cities to align housing policies

Feds look to cities to align housing policies
Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen said some cities and towns have already started to align their permitting and planning process with the federal strategy, but adds many have not.

Feds look to cities to align housing policies

Evacuation alerts for wildfire near Lytton, B.C.

Evacuation alerts for wildfire near Lytton, B.C.
The BC Wildfire Service says a blaze sparked Wednesday in the Fraser Canyon has charred nearly one square kilometre of bush south of Lytton. The wildfire service says the out-of-control fire is burning in steep terrain on the east side of Highway 1.

Evacuation alerts for wildfire near Lytton, B.C.

AstraZeneca vaccine 'good choice': B.C. top doctor

AstraZeneca vaccine 'good choice': B.C. top doctor
Dr. Bonnie Henry says the recommendation is based on the results of a small study, but other studies show all vaccines provide excellent protection from COVID-19 and two doses of any of the vaccines are safe and effective.

AstraZeneca vaccine 'good choice': B.C. top doctor