February 05, 2025
By Emily Vereshchak In Diverse Transportation v. Chen, 2025 ONSC 554, the Court analyzed the screening function of an anti-SLAPP motion in the context of what issues can be constituted to be in the public’s interest. At issue was whether the public had any interest in a monetary dispute between a former employee and employer, […]
December 18, 2024
By Shannon Mascarenhas Background The decision in Sabaratnam v. Yohanathan, 2024 ONCA 845, concerns an appeal brought by Mr. Mooka and his company, seeking to overturn a summary judgment that awarded the plaintiff $75,000 in damages for defamation, and $25,000 in punitive damages. The plaintiff also cross-appealed the motion judge’s refusal to grant a permanent […]
April 24, 2024
By Celina Stoan Overview The case of Clancy v. Farid (liability decision reported at 2022 ONSC 947, and damages decision reported at 2023 ONSC 2750) involved 53 individually named plaintiffs and one defendant, Tanvir Farid. The plaintiffs resided in Canada, the United States and Ireland, and all but one were executives or recruiters in the […]
September 13, 2023
By Emmanuel Couture-Tremblay The recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Armstrong v. Farahi, 2023 ONSC 5069 dealt with a motion to dismiss a defamation action as an impermissible SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuit. Facts In this case, the defendant Amir Farahi wrote a Column in London newspaper Our London […]
September 01, 2023
At our weekly meeting, Itai Gibli discussed the recent decision of the Ontario Divisional Court in Corion v. Plummer, 2023 ONSC 3249. Overview The Divisional Court heard an appeal of a Small Claims Court trial decision dismissing a defamation action brought by the appellant. The decision provides insight into how courts determine whether a statement […]
August 09, 2023
By Kathryn Orydzuk In 2015, the Ontario Legislature passed the Protection of Public Participation Act, S.O. 2015, c. 23, which introduced a powerful motion to counter “Gag Proceedings” or “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation” into the Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C. 43. The motions provide a defendant to a defamation lawsuit with […]
