Skip to Main content

17.12°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Mar 22, 2023 7:53 PM - The Canadian Press

Former Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart wins $100,000 costs in NPA defamation case

Share On

former-vancouver-mayor-kennedy-stewart-wins-100-000-costs-in-npa-defamation-case

The ruling says Stewart wanted damages, arguing the lawsuit was filed in bad faith for an improper purpose, but Baker says that awarding full costs addresses any harm the case may have caused (Photo: The Canadian Press)

A B.C. judge says former Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart can recover more than $100,000 in legal costs related to a failed defamation case launched by political rivals in the once-dominant Non-Partisan Association.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Wendy Baker says in her March 20 ruling that the defamation case against Stewart by current and former members of the NPA's board of directors was a "strategic lawsuit against public participation."

They sued Stewart after he issued a press release in January 2021 denouncing "hate and extremism" in the NPA in response to media reports on the party's internal turmoil over an ideological shift to the right.

Baker's judgment says the defamation claims had "substantial merit," but found Stewart's statements were not malicious and were fair game because the issues were in the public interest and had been widely reported.

Baker says the NPA board members also tried to strategically and inappropriately disqualify Stewart's lawyers from the case, increasing his legal costs.

The ruling says Stewart wanted damages, arguing the lawsuit was filed in bad faith for an improper purpose, but Baker says that awarding full costs addresses any harm the case may have caused.

Latest news

almost-half-of-canadians-want-the-temporary-foreign-worker-program-eliminated-poll

CanadaSep 08, 2025

Almost half of Canadians want the Temporary Foreign Worker program eliminated: poll

A new poll suggests 44 per cent of Canadians want to see the temporary foreign worker program scrapped as the country grapples with high unemployment, especially among young people. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently proposed eliminating the program in response to high youth unemployment. The new Abacus Data poll, which was conducted online and can't be assigned a margin of error, suggests that support for eliminating the program is higher among younger age cohorts, topping 50 per cent of 30- to 44-year-old respondents and hitting 48 per cent of those 18 to 29. Support for ending th

union-to-announce-next-phase-of-b-c-public-service-strike

Union to announce next phase of B.C. public service strike

The president of the B.C. General Employees’ Union is set to make an announcement this morning laying out the next phase of the union's public service strike. The union says Paul Finch is scheduled to speak at a picket line in Surrey on the fifth consecutive day of picketing following the launch of job action last Tuesday. The union represents more than 34,000 members working for B.C.'s public service and has held picket lines at locations including government sites in Victoria, Surrey, and Prince George, and the Royal BC Museum. It says some of its key asks include competitive wages and fai

radio-connect-fm-canada-extends-a-helping-hand-to-the-flood-victims-of-punjab

CanadaSep 08, 2025

Radio Connect FM Canada extends a helping hand to the flood victims of Punjab

Connect FM Radio has decided to run a special donation and fundraising campaign on Monday, September 8, as a special initiative to help the flood affected families of Punjab. This program is being run in collaboration with Guru Nanak Food Bank Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib Surrey and Sanjha TV. The funds collected under this program will be delivered to Punjab through capable hands to the flood affected families so that their lives can be brought back on track. This program is expected to receive great support from all Canadians and especially the Punjabi community.

canadas-dabrowski-and-partner-routliffe-win-u-s-open-womens-doubles-title

EnglishSep 05, 2025

Canada's Dabrowski and partner Routliffe win U.S. Open women's doubles title

Canadian tennis player Gabriela Dabrowski has won the US Open Grand Slam title with her New Zealand partner Erin Rutliff. The Canadian player won the women's doubles title in straight sets with her partner. Together, the two defeated the pair of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4. Earlier, Gabriela Dabrowski also won the US Open title in 2023. Pawan Sahni, of Newton Tennis Club in Surrey, says “the win is a boost for Canadian tennis.” He added, on one hand, just a few weeks ago, young player Victoria Mboko won the Canadian Open title, and now, with Canada's senior player win

Coquihalla Highway reopened following wildfire closure

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) between Hope and Merritt has reopened in both directions following a closure caused by the Mine Creek wildfire. Due to the proximity of the fire, drivers should be prepared for the Coquihalla Highway to be closed with minimal notice. Drivers are advised to not stop in the fire zone. Intermittent lane closures can be expected as crews continue to assess and repair roadside damage, and visibility is reduced due to wildfire smoke. Drivers should also be prepared for an increased risk of wildlife presence due to fire damage to wildlife-exclusion fencing on this s

Related News

Union to announce next phase of B.C. public service strike

Union to announce next phase of B.C. public service strike

The president of the B.C. General Employees’ Union is set to make an announcement this morning laying out the next phase of the union's public service strike. The union says Paul Finch is scheduled to speak at a picket line in Surrey on the fifth consecutive day of picketing following the launch of job action last Tuesday. The union represents more than 34,000 members working for B.C.'s public service and has held picket lines at locations including government sites in Victoria, Surrey, and Prince George, and the Royal BC Museum. It says some of its key asks include competitive wages and fai

Coquihalla Highway reopened following wildfire closure

Coquihalla Highway reopened following wildfire closure

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) between Hope and Merritt has reopened in both directions following a closure caused by the Mine Creek wildfire. Due to the proximity of the fire, drivers should be prepared for the Coquihalla Highway to be closed with minimal notice. Drivers are advised to not stop in the fire zone. Intermittent lane closures can be expected as crews continue to assess and repair roadside damage, and visibility is reduced due to wildfire smoke. Drivers should also be prepared for an increased risk of wildlife presence due to fire damage to wildlife-exclusion fencing on this s

Special mediator appointed to resolve Cowichan Valley transit labour dispute

Special mediator appointed to resolve Cowichan Valley transit labour dispute

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour, has issued the following statement on the Cowichan Valley transit labour dispute: “This strike has been deeply disruptive to people living in the Cowichan Valley, who rely on transit to get to work, go to school, attend medical appointments and access everyday services. “This dispute has gone on for far too long. There’s a real urgency for the parties to get back to the table, find a fair resolution and get transit services back on the road. “To help the parties resolve the ongoing labour dispute, I have appointed Vince Ready as a special mediato

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital