The court considered an anti-SLAPP motion under section 137.1 of the Courts of Justice Act, brought by the defendant, a municipal councillor, to dismiss a multi-claim action by a developer shareholder.
The claims included defamation, breach of fiduciary duty, interference with economic relations, champerty and maintenance, and misfeasance in public office.
The court found that the claims lacked substantial merit, were improperly pleaded, and largely belonged to the corporation, not the individual plaintiff.
The court also found that the public interest in protecting political expression and participation outweighed any interest in allowing the action to proceed.
The action was dismissed.
