Ontario Superior Court Justice Marie-Andree Vermette dismissed a lawsuit brought forward by Canadian Frontline Nurses, against Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and an unidentified news source, for libel.  On December 23rd Vermette dismissed this case using the SLAPP law.  

To understand why one would question this decision, look at the SLAPP law and its intent. SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, referencing defamation lawsuits strategically brought to shut down criticism – think of a wealthy individual hoping to silence his critics, or a large corporation trying to stop a whistleblower.  

When one applies this to Vermette’s decision it would appear that the elements or intent of this law was applied in reverse. It is clear that 3 individuals are not the wealthy silencing critics or a company trying to stop a whistleblower. In fact, it is 3 individuals concerned that Canadians were losing their Charter and medical rights to the Covid-19 mandates. The SLAPP law should have been applied to CNA for not allowing true informed consent and to the news agency for not following true journalism. This has always been the process in Canada, for medical professionals to explain both benefits and risks and for our media to report two sides of each story, since the facts are usually somewhere in the middle. 

The use of the SLAPP law in this circumstance reeks of desperation by the courts as a way out of hearing evidence. Why?  It was the CNA who published the statement “Enough is enough: professional nurses stand for science-based health care.” If that is true, bring forth your evidence and let the courts decide. 

Provincial anti-SLAPP laws are currently before the Supreme Court. Again it appears the law was used to quash a case in a manner that the law was not meant for. Hopefully the Supreme Court will issue its decision soon and provide much needed guidelines for this law. Until then the courts should quit using it as a scapegoat. 

Police on Guard wishes Canadian Frontlines Nurses success in their appeal, in having their case heard in the courts; what Vermette should have done in the first place.

To read the Epoch Times article written by Tara MacIsaac, click here