Ottawa – On Tuesday, March 22 and Friday, March 25 the BCCLA will argue before the Supreme Court of Canada in two different cases: Richard C. Breeden, et al. v. Conrad Black, et al. and Les éditions Écosociété Inc., et al. v. Banro Corporation. The BCCLA is an intervener in the cases.

In Breeden v. Black, the court will determine if Mr. Black’s six libel cases against individuals associated with Hollinger International, the publishing empire he once presided over, can proceed. The defendants argue that Ontario has no jurisdiction over the cases because the defendants, almost all of whom are American, have no connection to Ontario. The allegedly defamatory statements were made in the U.S. but were accessed over the Internet in Canada and republished by Canadian news outlets.

In Les éditions Écosociété Inc., et al. v. Banro Corporation, the court will determine if Banro Corporation, a global mining corporation, can sue the publishers and authors of an allegedly defamatory book in Ontario. The publishers and authors of the book argue that the case should be heard in Quebec. The book was published in Quebec, and was then released to bookstores in Quebec, Ontario and elsewhere in Canada.

The BCCLA is represented by Robert Holmes of Holmes and King. The arguments the BCCLA filed in the cases are available here:

Argument in Breeden
Argument in Écosociété

What: Supreme Court of Canada will hear oral arguments in two defamation cases.
When: Oral arguments before the court in the Breeden case begin on March 22 at 9 a.m. EST and in the Écosociété case on March 25 at 9 a.m. EST.
Where: Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Who: Counsel for the BCCLA, Robert Holmes will be available for comment at the number listed below.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Robert Holmes, Counsel for the BCCLA: (604) 838-6856
Jason Gratl, BCCLA Vice-President: (604) 694-1919
Grace Pastine, BCCLA Litigation Director: (604) 630-9751