Ontario Protecting Freedom of Ex

Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters

Ontario Protecting Freedom of Expression

Government to Introduce Legislation to Safeguard Public Participation in Debate

June 4, 2013 10:00 a.m. Ministry of the Attorney General - News Release ontario.ca

Ontario is taking steps to protect open dialogue in debates on matters of public interest.

Ontario will introduce legislation today that, if passed, would allow courts to quickly identify and deal with strategic lawsuits. The proposed legislation would prevent the unwarranted silencing of critics and minimize the time and resources wasted by plaintiffs, defendants and the courts on meritless claims. This made-in-Ontario solution strikes a necessary balance between protecting public debate and allowing legitimate claims to proceed in a timely manner.

The proposed law is based on extensive stakeholder consultations and the consensus recommendations of an expert advisory panel to provide a faster, more efficient process to address these strategic lawsuits and provide greater clarity for the parties involved.

The ability to freely participate in public discussion about matters of public interest is part of the new Ontario government's plan to build a fair society for all.

Quick Facts

· A strategic lawsuit is when one party uses litigation to intimidate opponents and reduce their ability to participate in public debate, and to deter others from participating in discussions on matters of public interest.

· The majority of strategic lawsuits are filed in court as claims of “defamation” (libel or slander), have little or no merit, and are often dropped before proceeding to trial.

· The proposed law would include a fast-track review process, which requires that a request to dismiss must be heard by the courts within 60 days.

· While laws to help defend citizens against strategic lawsuits are common in the U.S., in Canada, only Quebec has a similar law.

Quotes: We live in a fair and democratic society, and we believe that this law will provide a balanced approach that recognizes both the right to public expression and the importance of protection of reputation.”

John Gerretsen, Attorney General

Comment: A big step forward for whistleblowers, like those who came forward to shine light on cruelty at Marineland who got hit with multi-million dollar SLAPP suits.

November 29, 2019 Draconian new Alberta law will further conceal animal abuse on farms. This provision may well violate the freedom of expression provisions guaranteed under section 2(b) the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is nearly identical to various state-level restrictions passed in the United States termed “ag gag” laws. They have been struck down in states like Iowa, Idaho, & Utah as unconstitutional.

December 3, 2019 Last week, the Alberta government (led by Premier Jason Kenney & his Conservative Party) passed Bill 27, the Trespass Statutes (Protecting Law-Abiding Property Owners) Amendment Act, which ups fines for individuals trespassing on farms to $10,000 for individuals & $200,000 for organizations. This allows the powerful animal agriculture industry to keep operations secret, hidden behind closed doors. Camille Labchuk, lawyer and Executive Director of Animal Justice, is considering options to challenge any unconstitutional provisions in court.

In Ontario, Animal Justice is working to have the proposed legislation struck down before it is passed. The Security from Trespass & Protecting Food Safety Act was introduced yesterday by the Conservative Party, with the intent of stopping activists and whistleblowers from exposing abuses in slaughterhouses, during transport, and on farms.

December 4, 2019 UPDATE Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government quietly tabled Bill 156, in the legislature. An Act to protect Ontario’s farms and farm animals from trespassers and other forms of interference and to prevent contamination of Ontario’s food supply. It speaks to the power of the industry. It also speaks to how vulnerable that industry feels.

December 17, 2019 Proposed animal law turns whistleblowers into the bad guys

Reporters shouldn’t be penalized for doing their job, and neither should well-intended people who can’t turn a blind eye to animal abuse. But new legislation tabled at Queen’s Park would punish journalists and citizens for revealing abusive and neglectful farm practices by imposing huge fines for trespassing on farms and livestock operations.

Their reporting reminded me of columns I did a decade ago about a farm on Ma Brown’s Road near Port Perry, where Jack the Donkey endured abuse until he lit out for the homes of neighbours to get away from his owner.

My questions inevitably led to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) for Durham Region, which had issued many compliance orders to the owner but did almost nothing to enforce them.

June 17, 2020 UPDATE Ontario government’s Bill-156, also known as the “Ag Gag” bill, passed in the legislature on June 17, 2020 with a vote in favour of 68-22 despite widespread opposition from animal protection organizations, the legal community, and journalists. It will likely be challenged on the basis that it violates our right to “freedom of expression” and “peacefully assemble” as protected in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

We must all do what we can to see that this bill is overturned.!!

August 25, 2021 Victory: Bill C-205, Canada’s proposed federal ag-gag law, dies in Committee A proposed ag-gag law in Canada, Bill C-205, died in committee after news broke that a federal election will be held in September. LCA would like to thank all supporters who took action against Bill C-205.

Last Chance For Animals – End ag-gag laws! Protect animals & whistleblowers.

*All comments on website are those of Carmina Gooch*

SLAPPs increasingly used by the powerful; government control, arrogance, DNR deer case; 2019 new Trespass Acts seek to punish animal activists; ag-gag

Ontario turkey farm video shows ‘gaping hole’ in gov't animal welfare oversight; Hybrid Turkeys face criminal charges, plead guilty, measly $5,600 fine; 2019 ON & AB protect powerful animal ag industries

Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) from Last Chance for Animals website