A legislation to protect the public from being shut out of public participation because they are scared of a lawsuit needs some reworking.
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) says Bill 52 doesn’t actually protect anyone, because even just the threat of a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) is enough to stop people from voicing their opinion.
FONOM is asking for the bill to be rewritten, saying that legal action needs to be reviewed before filed. Mayor Black Timmins council is looking into it.
One of the changes is having lawsuits reviewed by a third party before they are filed.
The issue will come back to our city council so they can decide on a resolution next meeting, to follow FONOM’s direction with the amendments indicated.
More about Bill 52:Â Click Here
More about SLAPP suits:Â Click Here