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BC Supreme Court allows Kelowna drag performer's defamation suit to proceed
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has ruled that Tyson Cook, a drag performer known as Freida Whales, can proceed with a defamation lawsuit against the organization Action4Canada. The ruling, issued by Justice Hardwick, follows allegations that the group published false statements regarding Cook after he hosted a drag story time event at a public library.
Cook alleges that Action4Canada and several individuals shared statements via petitions and online posts that falsely linked drag performances to child sexual abuse and misconduct. The court determined that while the statements touched on matters of public interest, they went beyond political or social opinion by implying Cook was involved in criminal activity. Justice Hardwick concluded that the public interest in protecting Cook's reputation outweighs the defendant's right to expression in this instance.
Cook, who also works as an educational assistant for Central Okanagan Public Schools, claims the defamatory statements have negatively impacted his professional opportunities.
Entities
Action4Canada · BC Housing · BC Supreme Court · Canadian Mental Health Association · Central Okanagan Public Schools · Cowichan Hospitality Group Ltd. · Duncan · Justice Hardwick · Kelowna · Provincial Rental Housing Corporation · Tyson Cook
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] BC Housing was responsible for the funding of the temporary housing arrangement.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Provincial Rental Housing Corporation breached its agreement by ceasing rent payments after September 2022.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Cowichan Hospitality Group Ltd. brought a lawsuit against the housing corporation regarding the former Ramada Duncan.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Justice K. Wolfe found that the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation breached its agreement to restore the former Ramada Duncan to its pre-lease condition.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Residents moved out of the temporary housing on April 30, 2022.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A second phase of the lawsuit will address compensation and damages.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 34 rooms of the hotel were gutted and not restored following their use as temporary housing.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Cowichan Valley branch agreed to rent the rooms for temporary housing in May 2020.