Defamation

For a long time, Canada had one of the most backward, idiotic defamation and libel laws in the civilized world. That changed at the end of 2009, when the Supreme Court of Canada established a new defense in Grant vs Torstar.

"Public interest is not confined to publications on government and political matters, as it is in Australia and New Zealand. Nor is it necessary that the plaintiff be a “public figure”, as in the American jurisprudence since Sullivan. Both qualifications cast the public interest too narrowly. The public has a genuine stake in knowing about many matters, ranging from science and the arts to the environment, religion, and morality. The democratic interest in such wide-ranging public debate must be reflected in the jurisprudence."

Following that decision, courts in both Ontario and Quebec seem to have taken a more modern, liberal approach to such cases, giving freedom of expression more weight. See Vancouver Observer, National Post, Baglow v Smith and McConchie Law for more.

Another way content on this website can be restricted, removed or forcibly censored is through the use and abuse of copyright legislation.