Toronto, 20 June 2013 – Greenpeace Canada promised today that it would not be silenced by a $7 million defamation lawsuit by the country’s largest logging company, Resolute Forest Products (TSX: RFP).
Backed by a growing number of social justice, freedom of speech and environmental organizations from both sides of the border critical of Resolute’s lawsuit, Greenpeace characterized the lawsuit filed on 23 May as a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation). A SLAPP seeks to intimidate and silence civil society groups by burdening them with mounting legal costs associated with a legal defense.
“This is an attempt by a multinational, multibillion dollar corporation to quash public discussion about, and comment upon, its operations in Canada’s ‘Endangered Forests,’ ” said Richard Brooks, Forest campaign coordinator with Greenpeace Canada. “Resolute’s lawsuit is a bullying tactic meant to gag its critics, but we will vigorously defend ourselves. We will not be silenced.”
Facing increased scrutiny and criticism from a range of environmentalists and First Nations over their logging operations, Resolute filed the lawsuit just two days after seven environmental organizations severed discussions with the company under the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement. A week earlier on 15 May, the Grand Council of the Crees also filed an international appeal to one of Resolute’s Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certificates in Quebec.
“At a time when many companies are embracing social responsibility and sustainability as part of doing business, it is deeply regrettable that Resolute is turning to the courts rather than dealing with the very real threats to the forest being caused by its operations,” said Brooks. “This lawsuit risks a chilling effect on public debate of Canada’s forest and other matters of clear public interest.”
Greenpeace notes that in Quebec, where Resolute is headquartered and primarily operates, its 2009 anti-SLAPP legislation would have likely prevented this type of suit from being successful.
“The success of anti-SLAPP law in Quebec should inspire the Ontario government to quickly pass into law strong legislation to prevent multinationals like Resolute from using this attack against freedom of speech,” said André Belisle, President of L'Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique and former SLAPP victim.
“Once again we see a company using the courts to silence an organization who does valuable work to defend our forests and our right to information,” concluded Élodie Comtois from Éditions Écosociété and a SLAPP victim. “Ontario should urgently implement anti-SLAPP legislation in order to protect freedom of expression for organizations and citizens on matters of public interest.”
Greenpeace recently revealed that Resolute has breached more forestry laws and regulations in Quebec than any other company over the past decade, accumulating over $1.2 million in fines. The organizations says it will to continue to inform Canadian on what is happening in the public forests of Quebec and Ontario, and promote sustainable and healthy ecosystems and communities.
If you represent an organization and care about freedom of expression, email ioana.cotutiu@greenpeace.org to lend your support.
—————–
Richard Brooks
Campaign Coordinator
Greenpeace Canada
Office: 1-416-597-8408 x 3039
Cell: 1-416-573-7209
Fax: 1-416-597-8422
33 Cecil
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1N1
Canada