A Chilliwack, B.C., school trustee who drew harsh criticism for his outspoken opposition to provincial plans to teach children about gender identity has won a battle to continue a defamation lawsuit against the former head of the B.C. Teachers' Federation.
A defamation lawsuit by a school trustee in Chilliwack, B.C., will proceed against the former president of a teachers union after the B.C. Court of Appeal overturned a lower court ruling.
June 09, 2021 - 2:46 PM
VANCOUVER - A defamation lawsuit by a school trustee in Chilliwack, B.C., will proceed against the former president of a teachers union after the B.C. Court of Appeal overturned a lower court ruling.
In a unanimous decision, three justices of the Appeal Court say the trial judge s rejection of Barry Neufeld s defamation case failed to consider the chilling effect comments made by Glen Hansman could have on public debate, and that the judge erred in assessing whether there was likely a valid defence of fair comment.
The court says Hansman, who was then the president of the BC Teachers Federation, made highly critical comments after Neufeld issued negative statements about the way a program designed to teach children about sexual orientation was being implemented in the province.
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