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CITATION: Hansman v. Neufeld, 2023 SCC 14 APPEAL HEARD: October 11, 2022 JUDGMENT RENDERED: May 19, 2023 DOCKET: 39796 BETWEEN: Glen Hansman Appellant and Barry Neufeld Respondent - and Attorney General of British Columbia, QMUNITY, Skipping Stone Scholarship Foundation, Canadian Human Rights Commission, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Community-Based Research Centre, Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity, West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund, B.C. General Employees’ Union, Egale Canada and Centre for Free Expression Interveners CORAM: Wagner C.J. and Karakatsanis, Côté, Rowe, Martin, Jamal and O’Bonsawin JJ. 2023 SCC 14 (CanLII) SUPREME COURT OF CANADA

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Hansman v. Neufeld

Case Law

Country

Canada

Country Location

Latitude: 62.07067909300361

Longitude: -107.72231232402085

Country Location (linked Case Law): Canada

Decision Date: May 19, 2023

Case Status: Closed

Case Outcome (Disposition)

Acquittal

Keywords

Defamation / Reputation
Gender
LGBTQI
Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP)

Judicial Body: Supreme Court (court of final appeal)

Court Name: Supreme Court of Canada

Case Number: 39796

Case Summary: On May 19, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada held that the public interest in protecting expression justified the dismissal of a defamation suit filed by a public school board trustee against a teacher who publicly criticized the trustee’s comments on an educational initiative aimed at fostering inclusion and respect for students who may face discrimination in school because of their gender identity and sexual orientation. After the trustee, Barry Neufeld, posted disparaging remarks about the initiative on Facebook, the teacher, Glen Hansman, was quoted in several media interviews describing Neufeld’s comments as “bigoted,” “hateful,” and “transphobic.” Neufeld filed a defamation action against Hansman. Following a reversal in the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court upheld the trial court’s dismissal order, reasoning that Hansman’s speech was dissenting political speech in defense of a vulnerable group. For the Court, Hansman’s speech was within the “core” speech protected by the Canadian Constitution. As a result, the Supreme Court considered that the public interest in allowing Hansman’s speech outweighed any harm the speech caused to Neufeld.

Case Significance: Mixed Outcome

The majority ruling notably expands the protection of counter-speech, particularly in defense of marginalized communities like the 2SLGBTQ+ population, by reinforcing the fair comment defense and highlighting the importance of preserving robust debate on significant societal issues. However, Justice Côté’s dissent raises concerns about a possible contraction of expression, emphasizing that dismissing Neufeld’s defamation claim at an early stage could discourage controversial or unpopular views, particularly those critical of government policies, from being expressed. This decision reflects a complex approach that seeks to enhance public debate while also considering the potential chilling effects on expression—particularly against those holding views outside the mainstream. Ultimately, while the decision leans towards expanding protections for speech that supports vulnerable groups, it also leaves room for debate about the limits of such protections when reputational harm is at stake.

The decision establishes a binding or persuasive precedent within its jurisdiction.

Source URL: Global Freedom of Expression

Collection

Columbia

Date Updated: Oct 18, 2024

Primary Documents

Decision.pdf
English
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