2019 September 6

Huff v. Zuk, 2019 ABQB 691

The Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench awarded the plaintiff dentist $50,000 general damages for false and defamatory statements published by the defendant dentist in emails, website posts, an e‐book, by fax and orally.  The Court rejected pleaded defences of justification (truth) and responsible communication.  Although the Court held that several publications occurred on occasions of qualified privilege (namely informal complaints to members of the Executive of the Council of the Dentists’ professional body), that defence was defeated because the defendant was actuated by express malice.