WEBVTT

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Yes, an Ontario defamation

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claim may be possible.

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A false accusation can damage

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your work and relationships

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before you even see it.

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But a lawsuit depends on the

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words, the audience, the

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available defenses and strict

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deadlines.

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Anti-SLAPP legislation can also

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stop a case early.

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Save the publication before

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asking for its removal.

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You must show that the

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statement referred to you

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reached at least one other

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person and would lower your

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reputation in a reasonable

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person's eyes.

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You do not generally have to

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prove an intention to hurt you.

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A message sent only to you

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lacks that third-party

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publication.

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Hurt feelings alone are not the

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legal test.

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Substantial truth is a defence.

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Fair comment can protect

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recognizable opinion on a

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matter of public interest,

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based on facts, subject to its

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legal requirements.

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Calling an accusation, just my

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opinion, does not settle that.

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Privileged communications and

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responsibly researched public

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interest reporting may also be

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protected.

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Your lawyer must assess the

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complete context.

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For covered Ontario newspapers

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and broadcasts, written notice

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may be required within six

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weeks after you learn of the

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alleged libel.

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Starting the lawsuit has a

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separate three-month deadline.

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Both can apply to an online

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newspaper article.

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The notice must identify the

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offending material and be

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properly served.

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Ask a lawyer immediately, a

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platform complaint may not

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satisfy notice.

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Other defamation claims

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generally face two years from

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legal discovery, including what

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you reasonably should have

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known, subject to exceptions.

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Do not decide the deadline just

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by calling something a website

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or social post.

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Leaving the same newspaper

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article online does not restart

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the clock every day.

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Ask about any genuinely

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separate republication.

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Keep screenshots.

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Save the original link, the

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full discussion, the author's

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account details, publication

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dates, and when you first saw

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it.

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Record who received or read it.

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Save messages showing lost

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work, damaged relationships, or

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other consequences.

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Preserve the facts without

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editing them or reposting the

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accusation to a wider audience.

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Anti-SLAPP laws protect

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participation in matters of

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public interest.

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In Ontario, the defendant can

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ask for early dismissal by

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showing that your proceeding

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arises from their expression on

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such a matter.

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That does not mean every public

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post qualifies.

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The court looks at what the

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expression is really about, in

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context.

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If that threshold is met, you

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must show grounds to believe

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your claim has substantial

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merit and the defendant has no

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valid defence.

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You must also show sufficiently

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serious harm that the public

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interest in allowing your case

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outweighs protecting their

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expression.

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This is a preliminary

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assessment, not a full trial,

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and a meritorious claim can

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still be dismissed.

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Harm is not limited to money,

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but simply asserting that your

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reputation suffered does not

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establish the seriousness

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needed for anti-SLAPP weighing.

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Evidence must connect the

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expression to the harm.

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For example, a lost customer's

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message referring to the post

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can help explain causation.

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The court considers competing

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explanations too.

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Once an anti-SLAPP motion is

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made, the proceeding is

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generally paused while that

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motion and any appeal are

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resolved.

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If your case is dismissed, the

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defendant normally receives

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costs on a full indemnity

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basis, unless inappropriate in

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the circumstances.

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That can mean a substantial

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bill.

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Bad faith or an improper

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purpose can also support an

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additional damages award.

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An online customer review is

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not automatically protected by

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anti-SLAPP legislation.

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Content and context matter.

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As of September sixth, 2026, a

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Supreme Court appeal about

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customer reviews is awaiting

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decision.

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Get advice on the latest cases,

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rather than assuming that

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either every review is

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protected or every critical

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review justifies a lawsuit.

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Ask an Ontario defamation

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lawyer about a correction,

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retraction, removal request, or

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proportionate court claim.

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Court-ordered removal is not

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automatic.

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Agree on your objective and

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likely costs before escalating.

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A complaint or demand alone

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does not start a lawsuit or

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necessarily preserve your

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deadline.

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Take the full evidence and the

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date you first learned of the

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publication.

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For free general legal

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information, Legal Hotline's

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Canada number is on your screen

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now.

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Legal Hotline is not a law

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firm.

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Its information line uses AI.

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Lawyer matching is a separate

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service, subject to

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availability and acceptance.

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For advice on your own

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situation, speak with a lawyer

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in your province.

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In immediate danger, contact

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emergency services.