<Anti-SLAPP Motions & s.137.1 of the Courts of Justice Act>

– SLAPP represents Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation which includes defamation claims that limit freedom of expression.

Section 137.1 motions address anti-SLAPP motions which are useful for defendants in their defence to the defamation action.

The specifics are as follows:

<Prevention of Proceedings that Limit Freedom of Expression on Matters of Public Interest -Dismissal of proceeding that limits debate Purposes>

137.1 (1) The purposes of this section and sections 137.2 to 137.5 are,

(a) to encourage individuals to express themselves on matters of public interest;
(b) to promote broad participation in debates on matters of public interest;
(c) to discourage the use of litigation as a means of unduly limiting expression on matters of public interest; and
(d) to reduce the risk that participation by the public in debates on matters of public interest will be hampered by fear of legal action. 2015, c. 23, s. 3.