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Proposed Anti-Slapp Suit Legislation Lauded

Proposed legislation by the B.C. government to protect citizen activists from strategic lawsuits by corporate opponents is long overdue says associate law professor Chris Tollefson. Known as SLAPP suits--for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation--the lawsuits are designed to stifle opposition to specific projects or developments through lengthy, and often costly, court procedures. "These are lawsuits simply designed to punish people," says Tollefson. "In my view these debates are most appropriately fought out in a democratic forum." He adds that the proposed legislation would "say very clearly that we value public participation without intimidation and that we are sending a message to judges that we want them to take this into account."

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Media contacts

rof. font Tollefson (law) at (250) 721-8170 (office) or(250)