The plaintiff, Tracey Kanak, sued her former manager, Darryl Riggin, for defamation based on statements made during a job reference.
The plaintiff alleged malice, while the defendant pleaded qualified privilege and denied malice.
The court found the statements defamatory but concluded they were made on an occasion of qualified privilege.
The plaintiff failed to prove malice, as the defendant's testimony was credible and his statements were honest and not reckless.
The court also dismissed the plaintiff's alternative claims (breach of contract, intentional interference, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy) as they were deemed "dressed up" pleadings of defamation, resting on the same impugned publications.
The action was dismissed in its entirety.
