…[T]he GPO is applauding today’s passage of Bill 52, the Protection of Public Participation Act, which bans SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) suits…But this victory is bittersweet: the final legislation is flawed. The Liberal government removed retroactive protection against SLAPP suits that was in the original legislation introduced in 2013. The GPO is calling on the government to take steps to provide protections for those currently facing SLAPP suits… Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) silence public debate and put a chill on free speech…The new law promises to reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits without restricting legitimate legal recourse by anyone who is legitimately slandered or libelled…Too many Ontario residents have already suffered damaging and frivolous lawsuits simply because they opposed development proposals or risky industry activities in their communities. In the past, SLAPP suits were frequently used by developers and corporations as a shady tactic to intimidate and silence people…