"CELA Applauds Government’s Anti-SLAPP Bill", 1 Dec 2014

The Canadian Environmental Law Association [(CELA)] applauded the introduction of a Bill to address strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) in Ontario. “The bill will protect Ontarians from the chilling impact that SLAPPs have on people publicly voicing their concerns on matters of public interest,” said Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director of…[CELA]…SLAPPs are meritless lawsuits which are intended to prevent individuals from engaging in public debate in matters of public interest by burdening them with substantial legal costs, thereby forcing them to abandon their opposition and silencing criticism…The enactment of Anti-SLAPP legislation has received wide support from individuals and organizations in Ontario…“The Bill provides an effective and expeditious mechanism to allow for early dismissal of these types of lawsuits so that individuals who have been the target of a SLAPP do not have to incur unnecessary legal expenses,” said Ramani Nadarajah, counsel with…[CELA]