BPC Bulletin: Ontario Cabinet Minister Launches Defamation Lawsuit

News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee

Vic Fedeli, the Ontario government’s minister of finance, is suing Patrick Brown, the former leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives, and his book publisher for defamation.

Mr. Fedeli objects to statements in Mr. Brown’s Takedown: The Attempted Political Assassination of Patrick Brown. He is seeking $8 million.

REPORTAGE

Liam Casey of the Canadian Press reports:

http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/news/national_news/article_009df79c-f733-522a-8477-d417ec1e48be.html

Andrew Russell of Global News reports:

https://globalnews.ca/news/4912144/vic-fedeli-suing-patrick-brown-defamatory-allegations-memoir/

In The Sudbury Star, P. J. Wilson reports:

https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/fedeli-seeks-8-million-in-libel-suit/wcm/6ca5f869-6fa7-4698-94b5-638e4581e280

Older News Stories

Mike Crawley of CBC News reports:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/vic-fedeli-patrick-brown-book-libel-notice-of-intent-1.4971664

The Canadian Press reports:

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/vic-fedeli-serves-former-pc-leader-patrick-brown-libel-notice-over-tell-all-book

In Quill & Quire, Ryan Porter writes:

https://quillandquire.com/omni/optimum-stands-by-patrick-brown-amid-threatened-libel-suit/

Patrick Brown talks to a CityNews reporter about his book.

Video length: 19 minutes, 21 seconds

https://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2018/11/16/patrick-brown-on-why-he-wrote-tell-all-book-about-his-ousting-as-party-leader/

The Book and Periodical Council was formed in 1975 as the Book and Periodical Development Council to provide a venue for members to discuss industry issues, address mutual concerns and undertake projects for the benefit of Canadian writing and publishing.