2018 July 10

Awada c Magnan, 2018 QCCS 3023

The Quebec Superior Court awarded the plaintiff Dalila Awada $50,000 moral damages and $10,000 punitive damages over defamatory Internet posts by the defendant blogger relating to the plaintiff’s involvement in the debate over proposed legislation.  The defendant, who described himself as a “blogger and citizen,” posted anonymously using various  “avatars” on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.  Certain videos and publications were widely disseminated by third parties.  Note: The judgment includes a cogent discussion of the dangers of false news, calling it just as much a threat to democracy as muzzling the press.