A bill aiming to better protect British Columbians’ freedom of expression was reintroduced today.
Attorney General David Eby says the public participation act will protect residents from strategic lawsuits against public participation.
Eby says these lawsuits can stifle opposition on matters of public interest by imposing exhaustive and expensive legal actions.
British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in Canada at any level to introduce similar legislation in 2001, but that was repealed later the same year.
This new version, based on an Ontario model, is apparently fairer and more effective.
If passed, the bill will apply to all lawsuits started on or after May 15th of last year.
