Defence of Public Discourse London
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UPDATE, WE'RE GOING TO THE ONTARIO COURT OF APPEAL!
In fighting for our freedom to express opinions on the record and fitness for holding of office of candidates for political office, we tried the approach that would be most respectful of the public's cost as well as our own and have this case dismissed.
The Motion Judge declined to dismiss the case, BUT, the defence is taking this to the Ontario Court of Appeal. This is still the fastest route to deal with this matter, and save the public purse the cost of this matter going to trial by having the court throw it out.
It is also important because the appeal raises questions about the application of new legislation, the Protection of Public Participation Act, which was created to protect public discourse. This appeal is not just about the Appellants, who are private citizens involved in the democratic election process, but will also provide guidance to future Ontario litigants regarding how motions are to be applied. In other words, a successful appeal can help you from being the next Ontarian sued for commenting on a political candidate. But we still need your help to cover the legal costs, so please help with a donation of any amount.
CAMPAIGN UPDATE: Ontario Court of Appeal hears motion to dismiss: http://www.lfpress.com/2017/06/29/defendants-in-london-coun-bill-armstrongs-35-million-defamation-lawsuit-are-arguing-again-that-it-be-tossed-out-of-court
CAMPAIGN UPDATE: Judge allows lawsuit to proceed:
http://www.lfpress.com/2016/09/06/judge-rules-london-coun-bill-armstrongs-libel-lawsuit-can-proceed-to-trial
Campaign Update, Statement of Defence Filed:
http://www.lfpress.com/2015/10/02/defendants-in-defamation-lawsuit-accuse-london-coun-bill-armstrong-of-trying-to-silence-critics
CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Talk show host, panel guests dropped from lawsuit:
"Dropped from the revised statement of claim are AM 980 host Craig Needles and a slew of guests on his morning radio show: Christopher George, ex-councillor Cheryl Miller, Conservative insider Stewart Blair and NDP staffer Shawn Lewis."
http://www.lfpress.com/2015/08/03/several-defendants-have-been-dropped-from-defamation-lawsuit
As reported in the London Free Press:
http://bit.ly/1G7o9ul
http://www.lfpress.com/2015/05/29/london-city-councillor-bill-armstrong-suing-radio-station-and-rivals-for-defamation
a local city councillor has launched a $6.3 million lawsuit against a panel of local radio commentators who participate in a weekly "political issues" panel, a candidate who ran against the councillor in the last election, the candidate's campaign manager, and a retiree who sits on a volunteer board with the candidate.
While the radio station can defend its employees against this lawsuit, some of the named defendants participate in the panel as volunteers and have to fund their own defence. Two other defendants include a grandmother nearing retirement who provides a home for her grandson and a young person working for a not for profit. Neither are in a position to incur significant legal costs.
These Londoners need your help to defend themselves and to champion the ability of citizens to sincerely participate in public dialogue without fear of legal action. Participating in the electoral process, voicing opinions in good faith and asking probing questions on matters of public interest is critical to our democracy.
Please make a donation to preserve public discourse, fair comment, and responsible communication in the public interest.
If you wish to share this on social media please consider using #LdnOnt in your message.
(Please note, any surplus funds not required for legal defence will be donated to the Royal Canadian Legion's "Poppy Fund", in support of those veterans who fought to defend our freedoms).
In fighting for our freedom to express opinions on the record and fitness for holding of office of candidates for political office, we tried the approach that would be most respectful of the public's cost as well as our own and have this case dismissed.
The Motion Judge declined to dismiss the case, BUT, the defence is taking this to the Ontario Court of Appeal. This is still the fastest route to deal with this matter, and save the public purse the cost of this matter going to trial by having the court throw it out.
It is also important because the appeal raises questions about the application of new legislation, the Protection of Public Participation Act, which was created to protect public discourse. This appeal is not just about the Appellants, who are private citizens involved in the democratic election process, but will also provide guidance to future Ontario litigants regarding how motions are to be applied. In other words, a successful appeal can help you from being the next Ontarian sued for commenting on a political candidate. But we still need your help to cover the legal costs, so please help with a donation of any amount.
CAMPAIGN UPDATE: Ontario Court of Appeal hears motion to dismiss: http://www.lfpress.com/2017/06/29/defendants-in-london-coun-bill-armstrongs-35-million-defamation-lawsuit-are-arguing-again-that-it-be-tossed-out-of-court
CAMPAIGN UPDATE: Judge allows lawsuit to proceed:
http://www.lfpress.com/2016/09/06/judge-rules-london-coun-bill-armstrongs-libel-lawsuit-can-proceed-to-trial
Campaign Update, Statement of Defence Filed:
http://www.lfpress.com/2015/10/02/defendants-in-defamation-lawsuit-accuse-london-coun-bill-armstrong-of-trying-to-silence-critics
CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Talk show host, panel guests dropped from lawsuit:
"Dropped from the revised statement of claim are AM 980 host Craig Needles and a slew of guests on his morning radio show: Christopher George, ex-councillor Cheryl Miller, Conservative insider Stewart Blair and NDP staffer Shawn Lewis."
http://www.lfpress.com/2015/08/03/several-defendants-have-been-dropped-from-defamation-lawsuit
As reported in the London Free Press:
http://bit.ly/1G7o9ul
http://www.lfpress.com/2015/05/29/london-city-councillor-bill-armstrong-suing-radio-station-and-rivals-for-defamation
a local city councillor has launched a $6.3 million lawsuit against a panel of local radio commentators who participate in a weekly "political issues" panel, a candidate who ran against the councillor in the last election, the candidate's campaign manager, and a retiree who sits on a volunteer board with the candidate.
While the radio station can defend its employees against this lawsuit, some of the named defendants participate in the panel as volunteers and have to fund their own defence. Two other defendants include a grandmother nearing retirement who provides a home for her grandson and a young person working for a not for profit. Neither are in a position to incur significant legal costs.
These Londoners need your help to defend themselves and to champion the ability of citizens to sincerely participate in public dialogue without fear of legal action. Participating in the electoral process, voicing opinions in good faith and asking probing questions on matters of public interest is critical to our democracy.
Please make a donation to preserve public discourse, fair comment, and responsible communication in the public interest.
If you wish to share this on social media please consider using #LdnOnt in your message.
(Please note, any surplus funds not required for legal defence will be donated to the Royal Canadian Legion's "Poppy Fund", in support of those veterans who fought to defend our freedoms).
Organizer
Shawn Lewis
Organizer
London, ON
