2021 February 3

Hategan v. Farber,  2021 ONSC 874

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice awarded the defendant Moore damages aggregating $200,000 on her counterclaim against the plaintiff for defamation, invasion of privacy, appropriation of personality and interference with economic relations.  The defamatory statements were published on social media, websites and in emails to third parties (one email went to 500 people)  The libels were serious and wide-ranging.  The award to Moore, which was not broken down between the four causes of action, was made up as follows:  $100,000 general damages; $50,000 aggravated damages; and $50,000 punitive damages.  The court also granted Moore a permanent  injunction because of “a strong likelihood that [the plaintiff] will continue to publish defamatory communications … after judgment.”  The plaintiff’s claims against the defendants were dismissed.