LOLG Successfully Opposed Anti-SLAPP Motion
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On March 10, 2023, Global News reported that Vincent Ke, a conservative MPP and member of caucus was involved in a Chinese election interference scheme. When Vincent sued for defamation, Global News asked the Superior Court of Justice to dismiss his claim as a SLAPP. Last week, the Court dismissed Global News’ motion. It emphasized the public interest in allowing Vincent ‘to have his day in court’.
The decision is an instructive review of the defences of justification and responsible communication as well as the line between fair reporting of allegations and actionable assertions of fact. The analysis of the claim’s merits contains a worthwhile discussion about selective reporting of leaked information and ‘blending’ of official CSIS reports with leaked information to falsely apply ‘the agency’s imprimatur to data for which the agency refused to vouch’. Read the decision here.