Lawyer Calls for Quesnel Mayor’s Wife’s Lawsuit to Be Dismissed
Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenberg says the suit seeks to chill debate over reconciliation and Indigenous-municipal relations, after a judge dismissed a similar claim.
- On May 12 before BC Supreme Court Justice Ronald Tindale in Quesnel, lawyer Anja Nel argued that Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenberg's expression far outweighs the public interest in allowing Pat Morton's lawsuit to proceed.
- Morton's conflict with Roodenberg began after she purchased and distributed Grave Error: How the Media Misled Us, which questions the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report and unverified 2021 claims of 215 child burials at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
- In her civil claim, Morton accused Roodenberg of conduct that was "not only defamatory, but malicious, politically motivated and designed to publicly discredit me despite knowing or being reckless as to the truth." Nel invoked fair comment and qualified privilege defenses.
- Justice Jasmin Ahmad's recent dismissal of Morton's similar defamation lawsuit against the Union of BC Indian Chiefs set precedent less than two weeks before this hearing, with Ahmad ruling public interest in free debate outweighed Morton's claimed harm.
- Nel argued Morton cannot establish harm from Roodenberg's statements, noting instead that Morton's own actions invited public scrutiny magnified by her marriage to Mayor Ron Paull, who publicly disagreed with his wife's conduct and chairs a council partnered with area First Nations.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Lawyer calls for Quesnel mayor’s wife’s lawsuit to be dismissed - Creston Valley Advance
The lawyer for the Quesnel city councillor sued for defamation by the wife of Mayor Ron Paull says the lawsuit should be dismissed because Pat Morton’s real aim is to punish and suppress political expression. On May 12 in Quesnel, before BC Supreme Court Justice Ronald Tindale, Anja Nel said the public interest in Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenberg’s expression far outweighs the public interest in allowing Morton’s lawsuit to proceed. “The plaintiff’s…
Lawyer calls for Quesnel mayor’s wife’s lawsuit to be dismissed - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
The lawyer for the Quesnel city councillor sued for defamation by the wife of Mayor Ron Paull says the lawsuit should be dismissed because Pat Morton’s real aim is to punish and suppress political expression. On May 12 in Quesnel, before BC Supreme Court Justice Ronald Tindale, Anja Nel said the public interest in Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenberg’s expression far outweighs the public interest in allowing Morton’s lawsuit to proceed. “The plaintiff’s…
Lawyer calls for Quesnel mayor’s wife’s lawsuit to be dismissed - Grand Forks Gazette
The lawyer for the Quesnel city councillor sued for defamation by the wife of Mayor Ron Paull says the lawsuit should be dismissed because Pat Morton’s real aim is to punish and suppress political expression. On May 12 in Quesnel, before BC Supreme Court Justice Ronald Tindale, Anja Nel said the public interest in Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenberg’s expression far outweighs the public interest in allowing Morton’s lawsuit to proceed. “The plaintiff’s…
Lawyer calls for Quesnel mayor’s wife’s lawsuit to be dismissed - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
The lawyer for the Quesnel city councillor sued for defamation by the wife of Mayor Ron Paull says the lawsuit should be dismissed because Pat Morton’s real aim is to punish and suppress political expression. On May 12 in Quesnel, before BC Supreme Court Justice Ronald Tindale, Anja Nel said the public interest in Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenberg’s expression far outweighs the public interest in allowing Morton’s lawsuit to proceed. “The plaintiff’s…
Lawyer calls for Quesnel mayor’s wife’s lawsuit to be dismissed - Northern Sentinel
The lawyer for the Quesnel city councillor sued for defamation by the wife of Mayor Ron Paull says the lawsuit should be dismissed because Pat Morton’s real aim is to punish and suppress political expression. On May 12 in Quesnel, before BC Supreme Court Justice Ronald Tindale, Anja Nel said the public interest in Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenberg’s expression far outweighs the public interest in allowing Morton’s lawsuit to proceed. “The plaintiff’s…
Terrace Standard
Lawyer calls for Quesnel mayor’s wife’s lawsuit to be dismissed
The lawyer for the Quesnel city councillor sued for defamation by the wife of Mayor Ron Paull says the lawsuit should be dismissed because Pat Morton’s real aim is to punish and suppress political expression. On May 12 in Quesnel, before BC Supreme Court Justice Ronald Tindale, Anja Nel said the public interest in Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenberg’s expression far outweighs the public interest in allowing Morton’s lawsuit to proceed. “The plaintiff’s…
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