Freedom of expression under attack: Écosociété hit by two SLAPP*
Canadian mining firms Barrick Gold and Banro Corporation are suing publisher Écosociété and the three authors of the book Noir Canada : Pillage, corruption et criminalité en Afrique for libel. Total amount demanded : 11 million Canadian $.
Écosociété asks for all forms of possible support to carry on this David and Goliath struggle.
In order to help us, you can:
Barrick Gold moves to block mining book
The threat of legal action from mining giant Barrick Gold has forced Vancouver-based Talonbooks to postpone publication of a book about the Canadian mining industry.
Publisher Karl Siegler calls it a clear case of "libel chill" by one of Canada's largest mining companies.
The book, Imperial Canada Inc.: Legal Haven of Choice for the World's Mining Industries, was to be published in spring 2010, but in February, the publisher and everyone else involved with the book got a threatening letter from Barrick lawyers.
Adoption of Bill 9 : Écosociété and the authors of Noir Canada will be the test
Éditions Écosociété salutes the adoption of an Act to amend the Code of Civil Procedure to prevent improper use of the courts and promote freedom of expression and citizen participation in public debate. We extend our thanks to the MPs for passing such a law.
INFORMATION BULLETIN - First anniversary of "Noir Canada: Pillage, corruption et criminalité en Afrique"
Montreal, april 23rd 2009
It was just over a year ago, on April 15th 2008, that Alain Deneault, Deplhine Abadie and William Sacher officially launched Noir Canada: Pillage, corruption et criminalité en Afrique, published by Les Éditions Écosociété, despite legal threats of lawsuits by Canadian multinational Barrick Gold (see demand letter sent by Barrick Gold at the following address: http://www.ecosociete.org/t117-Mise_en_d_Barrick.PDF ).
New bill to prevent the improper use of the courts
Bill 9 - An Act to amend the Code of Civil Procedure to prevent improper use of the courts and promote freedom of expression and citizen participation in public debate - was filed on April 7 by the Minister of Justice Kathleen Weil.
A Judicial Haven (by the Collectif Ressources d'Afrique)
As much the Canadian government as the liberal opposition have just sanctioned Canada as a judicial haven for global extractive societies.
That is the appraisal of the researchers of the African Resources Collective, Delphine Abadie, Alain Deneault, et William Sacher, authors of Noir Canada, Pillage, corruption and criminalité en Afrique (Black Canada, Pillage, Corruption, and Criminality in Africa) (Écosociété, 2008).
LEGAL SUIT IN ONTARIO : COURT REJECTS REQUEST TO HAVE IT TRANSFERRED TO QUEBEC
- Écosociété appeals an ontarian decision
Montreal, March 5, 2009 – While citizens and organisms marched today in front of Montreal’s Courthouse to ask the Liberal government to adopt an anti-SLAPP bill before next June, another nasty side of SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation) has just affected Écosociété and the authors of Noir Canada.
Anti-SLAPP BILL: Mobilisation continues!
- Call to rally “Muzzled before the Courthouse”
If you won’t be in Montreal, you can still support us! Your contribution will be highlighted at the event!
For the adoption of a bill before the end of the parliamentary session (June 2009).
Where? At the Montreal Courthouse. 1, rue Notre-Dame Est (Place d’Armes metro).
When? Thursday, March 5th at 11:00 am.
Come with a muzzle or gag to symbolize the effects of SLAPP lawsuits on freedom of expression!
Freedom of publishing under threat in Canada?
An incredible censorship attempt is endangering the very existence of the publisher Écosociété (Quebec – Canada); more than 60 publishers from 30 countries (1) have declared their undivided support for the Quebec publisher and are calling on the protagonists of the Noir Canada affair to respect the rights of freedom of expression and publication.
uOttawa-Ecojustice lawyers defend Quebec publisher from defamation lawsuit
Publisher and authors of Canadian mining exposé hit by double defamation suits .
20/10/2008
TORONTO - Pro bono lawyers from the uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic will be in an Ontario court today defending three academic authors and a small Quebec publisher that earlier this year published a French-language book documenting the controversial activities of several high profile Canadian mining companies in Africa.
