A defamation lawsuit against the former president of the BC teachers91裸聊视频� union by a Chilliwack school trustee has been dismissed before it even got to trial.

Trustee Barry Neufeld had filed a defamation suit against Glen Hansman, who at the time was the president of the B.C. Teachers91裸聊视频� Federation. He launched the suit in October 2018 after Hansman responded in the media to Neufeld91裸聊视频檚 statements on the controversial SOGI 123.

In response, Hansman filed his own suit through the Protection of Public Participation Act (PPPA), claiming Neufeld is a public figure and was open to being criticized without threat of defamation. That was heard in July 2o19, and a court date for the defamation suit was tentatively set for this December.

But that case won91裸聊视频檛 be happening now.

Justice A. Ross on Wednesday, saying that his decision has 91裸聊视频渘othing to do with 91裸聊视频榗orrectness91裸聊视频� of either party91裸聊视频檚 position on that issue (SOGI 123).91裸聊视频�

He noted the intent of the PPPA legislation is 91裸聊视频渢o screen out actions that have the effect of limiting a defendant91裸聊视频檚 participation in public debate. In that respect, the PPPA seeks to balance the rights of individuals to protect their reputations against the obvious benefit to a democratic society of protecting free speech and rigorous debate on issues of public interest.91裸聊视频�

Hansman argued that he had every right to speak out against Neufeld91裸聊视频檚 comments, which he said harmed him and the LGBTQ community. Hansman is openly gay. Neufeld said that Hansman91裸聊视频檚 comments were made in malice, and harmed him as well.

Neufeld did not prove to the court, the judge stated, that substantial damage had been done to his reputation. He called Neufeld91裸聊视频檚 evidence 91裸聊视频渟keletal at best.91裸聊视频� Neufeld did also win a following election and remains on the Chilliwack school board.

Furthermore, one of the most controversial statements made by Neufeld were on a Facebook post in which he concedes he was posting 91裸聊视频渁t the risk of being labelled a bigotted homophobe.91裸聊视频�

Some of the things Hansman said about Neufeld in the time of the SOGI 123 debates included calling him transphobic, saying he should be removed from public office, and nowhere near students.

But in the end, Ross sided with Hansman91裸聊视频檚 argument for public debate.

91裸聊视频淚 have further found that the PPPA requires me to balance the seriousness of the harm suffered by the plaintiff (Neufeld) and the public interest in continuing the proceeding against the public interest in protecting the defendant91裸聊视频檚 (Hansman) expression. The plaintiff has an interest in claiming damages and clearing his good name. However, the public has an interest in protecting expressions that relate to public debate. In balancing those interests, I find that the interest in public debate outweighs the interest in continuing the proceeding on these facts.91裸聊视频�

Ross91裸聊视频檚 decision now means that Neufeld91裸聊视频檚 defamation case will not go through. This was reportedly the first time the so called 91裸聊视频渁nti-SLAPP91裸聊视频� legislation has been tested in court.

Story is developing. More to come.

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jpeters@theprogress.com
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