2018 August 13

Assn. pour l’integration social d’Ottawa c. Casimir, 2018 ONSC 4754

The Ontario Superior Court awarded defamation damages collectively totaling $6,000 to the plaintiff non-profit society, its director R and councillor M, for what the Court held was a campaign of defamation by a disgruntled ex-employee.  The statements held to be defamatory were made orally at demonstrations near the plaintiffs’ offices; on placards at those demonstrations; on posters stapled to trees and put on car windshields; in emails and on Twitter.  The court awarded the individual plaintiff R  $1,000 general damages and $500 punitive damages; the individual plaintiff M $1,000 general damages and $500 punitive damages; and the non-profit society $2,000 general damages and $1,000 punitive damages.  A permanent injunction was also granted.