Activist must pay fish farm $75,000, B.C. court rules

Globe and Mail
July 22, 2013

A B.C. salmon-farming operation has won a $75,000 appeal-court judgment against a man a lower court said had dedicated himself to eradicating salmon farming.

In December, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled Don Staniford’s comments against Mainstream Canada were defamatory but dismissed the action, saying the criticisms fell under the fair comment rule.

The lower court judge said Staniford was akin to a zealot who cruelly mocked people who had a different point of view, but she still dismissed the case against him.

In a unanimous decision, a three-member B.C. Appeal Court panel disagreed with the decision and awarded Mainstream $25,000 in general damages, $50,000 in punitive damages and court costs.

Staniford calls the decision shocking, saying it will lead to a chilling effect on campaigners speaking out on environmental and social justice issues.

Read the original article in the Globe and Mail.

Read related articles: 

• The Vancouver Sun; July 23, 2013; "Appeal court awards fish farming giant $75K"
• Huffington Post; July 23, 2013; "Don Staniford, Salmon Activist, Ordered To Pay Fish Farm $75,000"
• Vancouver Sun; July 22, 2013; "B.C. fish farm company wins cash award in appeal against salmon farming 'zealot'"
• CBC; July 22, 2013; "Salmon farming company wins defamation lawsuit"
• Times Colonist; July 22, 2013; "B.C. fish-farm company wins cash award in appeal against salmon-farming 'zealot'"
• The Province; July 22, 2013; "Salmon-farming foe must pay $75,000 in defamation case"
• Campbell River Mirror; July 22, 2013; "Court orders activist to pay $75,000 to salmon farming company"
• The Common Sense Canadian; July 22, 2013; ‘Salmon Farming Kills' campaign ruled defamation on appeal"