Maxime Bernier’s defamation lawsuit should be tossed, says lawyer for Warren Kinsella

OTTAWA — A prominent political commentator is asking a court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit from a former member of Parliament who is now leader of a fringe federal political party.

A lawyer for Warren Kinsella is arguing in Ontario Superior Court the suit from People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier is a strategic action intended to silence expression in the public interest.

Strategic lawsuits against public participation — known as SLAPPs — are levied against people or organizations that take a position on an issue, with the aim of limiting their free speech.

In response to a spate of such cases, Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec have enacted laws to curb them.