Amy Tieu

The plaintiff brought a defamation action against the defendant, a municipal employee, for statements she made at a Business Improvement Area (BIA) annual general meeting regarding his eligibility to serve on the board.

The defendant brought an anti-SLAPP motion under s. 137.1 of the Courts of Justice Act to dismiss the action.

The court granted the motion, finding that the expression related to a matter of public interest, the defendant had valid defences including statutory immunity and qualified privilege, and the public interest in protecting the expression outweighed the minimal harm suffered by the plaintiff.

The City of Toronto sought permission to issue a writ of seizure and sale against Ms. Mohammadi-Kia, more than six years after a 2004 civil judgment for social assistance fraud restitution.

Ms. Mohammadi-Kia, self-represented, opposed the motion, arguing unjust conviction, inadequate legal representation, limited means, a belief the debt was waived, and that the target property was not hers.

The court allowed the City to issue the writ, finding the City adequately explained its delay and did not intend to waive the debt.

While Ms. Mohammadi-Kia genuinely believed the debt was no longer pursued, she failed to demonstrate detrimental reliance.

The court also declined to award costs to the City, noting its delay in seeking the writ.