St. Elizabeth Home Society v. Hamilton (City) et al., [2005] O.T.C. 1074 (SC)

• Judge: Crane, J.
• Court: Superior Court of Justice of Ontario (Canada)
• Case Date: April 19, 2004
• Jurisdiction: Ontario
• Citations: [2005] O.T.C. 1074 (SC)

St. Elizabeth Home Soc. v. Hamilton, [2005] O.T.C. 1074 (SC)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2005] O.T.C. TBEd. DE.073

St. Elizabeth Home Society (Hamilton, Ontario) (plaintiff) v. City of Hamilton, in its capacity as successor of the Corporation of the City of Hamilton, City of Hamilton, in its capacity as successor of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, Ruth Schofield and Marilyn James (defendants)

(Court File No. 8683/03)

Indexed As: St. Elizabeth Home Society v. Hamilton (City) et al.

Court of Ontario

Superior Court of Justice

Crane, J.

December 13, 2005.

Summary:

This headnote contains no summary.

Damages - Topic 531

Limits of compensatory damages - Remoteness - Torts - Recoverable damages - Purely economic loss - See paragraphs 140 to 185, 339 to 635.

Damages - Topic 2521

Torts affecting the person - Libel and slander - General - See paragraphs 140 to 175.

Libel and Slander - Topic 684

The statement - What constitutes defamatory statements - Libel - What constitutes a defamatory statement - See paragraphs 200 to 338.

Libel and Slander - Topic 2041

Publication - Republication - General - See paragraphs 255 to 261, 299 to 312.

Libel and Slander - Topic 2983

Defences - Qualified privilege - When available - See paragraphs 242 to 253, 313 to 318, 674.

Libel and Slander - Topic 4421

Damages - General damages (incl. measure of) - General principles - See paragraphs 140 to 175.

Libel and Slander - Topic 6065

Practice - Notice - Sufficiency of content of notice - See paragraphs 112 to 139, 673, 683.

Limitation of Actions - Topic 8041

Actions against municipalities - When limitation period commences - General - See paragraphs 105 to 111.

Municipal Law - Topic 1710

Liability of municipalities - General and definitions - Statutory immunity - See paragraphs 78 to 111.

Torts - Topic 2643.1

Vicarious liability - Particular persons - Municipalities - See paragraphs 259 to 298.

Torts - Topic 9155

Duty of care - Particular relationships - Claims against public officials, authorities or boards - Municipal authorities - See paragraphs 339 to 380, 675.

Torts - Topic 9157.2

Duty of care - Particular relationships - Claims against public officials, authorities or boards - Public health authorities - See paragraphs 339 to 380, 675.

Torts - Topic 9162

Duty of care - Particular relationships - Claims against public officials, authorities or boards - Misfeasance in or abuse of public office - See paragraphs 381 to 602, 675.

Cases Noticed:

Smith v. Winchester (Township), [1994] O.J. No. 2418 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 79].

Katsoulis et al. v. Renfrew County and District Health Unit (1995), 24 O.R.(3d) 244 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 80].

Collins v. Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (No. 2), [1972] 3 O.R. 643 (H.C.), refd to. [para. 82].

Pichlyk v. 617002 Ontario Inc., [2003] O.J. No. 3733 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 83].

Fire et al. v. Longtin et al. (1989), 68 O.R.(2d) 479 (H.C.), refd to. [para. 83].

Berenz v. Weber (Paul) Construction Ltd., [1992] O.J. No. 2173 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 84].

Des Champs v. Conseil des écoles séparées catholiques de langue française de Prescott-Russell et al. (1999), 245 N.R. 201; 125 O.A.C. 279; 177 D.L.R.(4th) 23 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 87].

Pearson v. Inco Ltd. et al., [2002] O.T.C. 515 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 96].

Darroch v. Metropolitan Toronto Police Services Board et al. (1996), 20 O.T.C. 334 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 106].

Watson and Gallagher v. Southam Inc. et al. (2000), 134 O.A.C. 139 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 114].

Weiss v. Sawyer (2002), 163 O.A.C. 2; 217 D.L.R.(4th) 129 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 114].

DeHeus v. Niagara (Region) Police Services Board, [2001] O.J. No. 4201 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 114].

Grossman v. CFTO-T.V. Ltd. et al. (1982), 39 O.R.(2d) 498 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 114].

Sentinel-Review Co. v. Robertson Estate, [1928] S.C.R. 258, refd to. [para. 115].

Siddiqui v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp. et al. (2000), 136 O.A.C. 308; 50 O.R.(3d) 607 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 115].

Frisina v. Southam Press Ltd. et al. (1981), 33 O.R.(2d) 287 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 115].

Misir et al. v. Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. et al. (1997), 105 O.A.C. 270 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 115].

Janssen-Ortho Inc. v. Amgen Canada Inc. et al. (2005), 199 O.A.C. 89 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 117].

Roach v. Now Communications Inc., [2002] O.J. No. 875 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 117].

Warner v. Earp (1989), 39 O.R.(3d) 138 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 119].

Alpha Tire Corp. v. South China Industries (Canada) Inc. et al., [2000] O.T.C. Uned. 657 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 123].

Cohl v. Donovan et al. (1996), 18 O.T.C. 18 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 124].

Brown v. Cole et al. (1995), 65 B.C.A.C. 300; 106 W.A.C. 300 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 124].

Ontario v. Fatehi, [1984] 2 S.C.R. 536; 56 N.R. 62; 6 O.A.C. 270; 15 D.L.R.(4th) 132, refd to. [para. 141].

Spartan Steel & Alloys Ltd. v. Martin & Co. (Contractors) Ltd., [1973] Q.B. 27 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 142].

Canadian National Railway Co. et al. v. Norsk Pacific Steamship Co. and Tug Jervis Crown et al., [1992] 1 S.C.R. 1021; 137 N.R. 241; 91 D.L.R.(4th) 289, refd to. [para. 142].

D'Amato et al. v. Badger et al., [1996] 2 S.C.R. 1071; 199 N.R. 341; 79 B.C.A.C. 110; 129 W.A.C. 110; 137 D.L.R.(4th) 129, refd to. [para. 143].

Cattle v. Stockton Waterworks Co. (1875), L.R. 10 Q.B. 453, refd to. [para. 145].

Hedley Byrne & Co. v. Heller & Partners Ltd., [1964] A.C. 465 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 146].

Anns v. Merton London Borough Council, [1978] A.C. 728 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 147].

Murphy v. Brentwood District Council, [1991] 1 A.C. 398; 113 N.R. 81; [1990] 2 All E.R. 908 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 148].

Nielsen v. Kamloops (City) and Hughes, [1984] 2 S.C.R. 2; 54 N.R. 1; 10 D.L.R.(4th) 641, refd to. [para. 150].

Hercules Management Ltd. et al. v. Ernst & Young et al., [1997] 2 S.C.R. 165; 211 N.R. 352; 115 Man.R.(2d) 241; 139 W.A.C. 241, refd to. [para. 151].

Martel Building Ltd. v. Canada, [2000] 2 S.C.R. 860; 262 N.R. 285; 193 D.L.R.(4th) 1, refd to. [para. 155].

Cooper v. Registrar of Mortgage Brokers (B.C.) et al., [2001] 3 S.C.R. 537; 277 N.R. 113; 160 B.C.A.C. 268; 261 W.A.C. 268; 206 D.L.R.(4th) 193, refd to. [para. 156].

Cooper v. Hobart - see Cooper v. Registrar of Mortgage Brokers (B.C.) et al.

Winnipeg Condominium Corp. No. 36 v. Bird Construction Co. et al., [1995] 1 S.C.R. 85; 176 N.R. 321; 100 Man.R.(2d) 241; 91 W.A.C. 241; 121 D.L.R.(4th) 193, refd to. [para. 157].

Cherneskey v. Armadale Publishers Ltd. and King, [1979] 1 S.C.R. 1067; 24 N.R. 271; 90 D.L.R.(3d) 321, refd to. [para. 165].

Hiltz and Seamone Co. v. Nova Scotia (Attorney General) et al. (1997), 164 N.S.R.(2d) 161; 491 A.P.R. 161 (S.C.), affd. (1999), 173 N.S.R.(2d) 341; 527 A.P.R. 341 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 166].

Ascot Holdings Ltd. v. Wilkie (1993), 49 C.P.R.(3d) 188 (B.C.S.C.), refd to. [para. 166].

Walker and Walker Brothers Quarries Ltd. v. CFTO Ltd. et al. (1987), 19 O.A.C. 10; 59 O.R.(2d) 104; 37 D.L.R.(4th) 224 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 167].

PSC Industrial Services Canada Inc. v. Ontario (Minister of the Environment) (2005), 202 O.A.C. 93 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 168].

S.G. v. J.C.-G. et al. (2001), 150 O.A.C. 305; 56 O.R.(3d) 215 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 172].

Campbell et al. v. Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. et al. (1990), 41 O.A.C. 324; 73 D.L.R.(4th) 190 (Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 173].

Butler et al. v. Southam Inc. et al. (2001), 197 N.S.R.(2d) 97; 616 A.P.R. 97 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 174].

Roncarelli v. Duplessis, [1959] S.C.R. 121; 16 D.L.R.(2d) 689, refd to. [para. 176].

Alberta v. Nilsson, [1999] 9 W.W.R. 203; 246 A.R. 201 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 177].

Odhavji Estate et al. v. Woodhouse et al., [2003] 3 S.C.R. 263; 312 N.R. 305; 180 O.A.C. 201, refd to. [para. 177].

Uni-Jet Industrial Pipe Ltd. et al. v. Canada (Attorney General) et al. (2001), 156 Man.R.(2d) 14; 246 W.A.C. 14; 198 D.L.R.(4th) 577 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 178].

Three Rivers District Council et al. v. Bank of England, [2000] 2 W.L.R. 1220; 257 N.R. 1; [2000] 3 All E.R. 1 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 182].

Rizzo & Rizzo Shoes Ltd. (Bankrupt), Re, [1998] 1 S.C.R. 27; 221 N.R. 241; 106 O.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 197].

Villani v. Canada (Attorney General), [2002] 1 F.C. 130; 275 N.R. 324 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 198].

Sebastian v. Saskatchewan (1978), 93 D.L.R.(3d) 154 (Sask. C.A.), refd to. [para. 199].

Color Your World Corp. v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp. et al. (1998), 106 O.A.C. 279; 38 O.R.(3d) 97 (C.A.), leave to appeal refused (1998), 232 N.R. 398; 119 O.A.C. 397 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 201].

Gaskin v. Retail Credit Co., [1965] S.C.R. 297, refd to. [para. 203].

Emmerton v. University of Sydney, [1970] 2 N.S.W.R. 633 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 203].

Lambert et al. v. Thomson et al., [1937] O.R. 341 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 203].

Speight v. Gosnay (1891), 60 L.J.Q.B. 231 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 205].

Amalgamated Television Services v. Marsden, [1998] N.S.W.L.R. 158 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 219].

Stopforth v. Goyer (1979), 97 D.L.R.(3d) 369 (Ont. C.A.), refd to. [para. 244].

Botiuk v. Bardyn et al., [1995] 3 S.C.R. 3; 186 N.R. 1; 85 O.A.C. 81, refd to. [para. 245].

Myers v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp. et al. (1999), 103 O.T.C. 81 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 246].

Halls v. Mitchell, [1928] S.C.R. 125, refd to. [para. 246].

Horrocks v. Lowe, [1974] 1 All E.R. 662; [1975] A.C. 135 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 249].

P.A.B. v. Children's Foundation et al., [1999] 2 S.C.R. 534; 241 N.R. 266; 124 B.C.A.C. 119; 203 W.A.C. 119, refd to. [para. 260].

Davies v. Sovereign Bank (1906), 12 O.L.R. 557 (H.C.), refd to. [para. 264].

J.R. v. Springer Estate et al., [2004] O.T.C. 730 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 265].

McDonald v. Dickenson (1897), 24 O.A.R. 31 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 268].

Biggar v. Crowland (1906), 13 O.L.R. 164 (H.C.), refd to. [para. 269].

McKinnon et al. v. Dauphin (Rural Municipality) (1996), 108 Man.R.(2d) 163; 31 M.P.L.R.(2d) 13 (Q.B.), revd. (1997), 118 Man.R.(2d) 244; 149 W.A.C. 244 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 270].

N.I.P. v. Blencoe et al., [2000] B.C.T.C. 837; 193 D.L.R.(4th) 752 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 271].

E.B. v. Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (B.C.) et al. (2005), 340 N.R. 202; 217 B.C.A.C. 1; 358 W.A.C. 1 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 272].

671122 Ontario Ltd. v. Sagaz Industries Canada Inc. et al., [2001] 2 S.C.R. 983; 274 N.R. 366; 150 O.A.C. 12, refd to. [para. 275].

K.L.B. et al. v. British Columbia et al., [2003] 2 S.C.R. 403; 309 N.R. 306; 187 B.C.A.C. 42; 307 W.A.C. 42, refd to. [para. 276].

Market Investigations Ltd. v. Minister of Social Security, [1968] 3 All E.R. 732 (Q.B.D.), refd to. [para. 277].

Wiebe Door Services Ltd. v. Minister of National Revenue, [1986] 3 F.C. 553; 70 N.R. 214 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 277].

Davis v. National Broadcasting Co., 320 F. Supp. 1070 (E.D. La.), affd. 447 P.2d 981 Tenn. 687; 27 S.W. 1008, refd to. [para. 300].

Newton v. Vancouver (City) (1932), 46 B.C.R. 67 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 309].

Arnott v. College of Physicians and Surgeons (Sask.), [1954] S.C.R. 538, refd to. [para. 314].

Meistrell v. McPhail (1989), 788 P.2d 1387 (Okl. App.), refd to. [para. 317].

Spring v. Guardian Assurance plc et al., [1995] 2 A.C. 296; 174 N.R. 164 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 322].

BG Checo International Ltd. v. British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, [1993] 1 S.C.R. 12; 147 N.R. 81; 20 B.C.A.C. 241; 35 W.A.C. 241; 99 D.L.R.(4th) 577, refd to. [para. 325].

Fulton v. Globe and Mail et al. (1997), 207 A.R. 374; 152 D.L.R.(4th) 377 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 327].

Elliott et al. v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp. et al. (1993), 16 O.R.(3d) 677 (Gen. Div.), affd. (1995), 82 O.A.C. 115; 125 D.L.R.(4th) 534 (C.A.), leave to appeal refused [1996] 1 S.C.R. vi; 201 N.R. 80; 93 O.A.C. 80; 131 D.L.R.(4th) vii, refd to. [para. 327].

Foaminol Laboratories Ltd. v. British Artid Plastics Ltd., [1941] All E.R. 393 (K.B.), refd to. [para. 328].

Bai et al. v. Sing Tao Daily Ltd. et al. (2003), 171 O.A.C. 385 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 328].

Dinyer-Fraser v. Laurentian Bank et al., [2005] B.C.T.C. 225; 28 C.C.L.T.(3d) 205 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 328].

Peters-Brown v. Regina District Health Board et al., [1996] 1 W.W.R. 337; 136 Sask.R. 126 (Q.B.), affd. [1997] 1 W.W.R. 638; 148 Sask.R. 248; 134 W.A.C. 248 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 333].

Devloo v. Canada (1992), 129 N.R. 39; 8 C.C.L.T.(2d) 93 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 351].

Cook et al. v. Bowen Island Realty Ltd. et al., [1997] B.C.T.C. Uned. F10; [1998] 1 W.W.R. 647; 38 C.C.L.T.(2d) 312 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 351].

Sam v. Wilson et al., [2004] B.C.T.C. Uned. 680 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 351].

D & R Enterprises, Re, [1985] N.S.J. No. 328 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 351].

Williams v. Canada (Attorney General) et al., [2005] O.T.C. 729 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 351].

Wynberg et al. v. Ontario, [2005] O.T.C. 240 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 351].

Porters Lake Siding & Contracting Ltd. v. Halifax (County), Hefler, Gough and Board of Health (Halifax County) (1978), 31 N.S.R.(2d) 645; 52 A.P.R. 645 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 351].

Dice, Re, [2004] O.J. No. 4646 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 351].

Deep v. Ontario et al., [2004] O.T.C. 541 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 351].

Mitchell v. Ontario (2004), 188 O.A.C. 385; 71 O.R.(3d) 571 (Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 351].

Larcade v. Ontario (Minister of Community and Social Services) (2005), 197 O.A.C. 287 (Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 351].

Grant v. Canada (Attorney General), [2005] O.T.C. 771 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 351].

Eliopoulos et al. v. Ontario (Minister of Health and Long Term Care) (2005), 198 O.A.C. 377 (Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 351].

Beckstead v. Ottawa (City) Chief of Police (1995), 37 O.R.(3d) 64 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 360].

Hill et al. v. Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police Services Board et al. (2005), 202 O.A.C. 310 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 360].

Hercules Management Ltd. et al. v. Ernst & Young et al., [1997] 2 S.C.R. 165; 211 N.R. 352; 115 Man.R.(2d) 241; 139 W.A.C. 241, refd to. [para. 361].

Jane Doe v. Board of Police Commissioners of Metropolitan Toronto et al. (1989), 58 D.L.R.(4th) 396 (Ont. H.C.), affd. (1990), 40 O.A.C. 161; 74 O.R.(2d) 225 (Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 362].

Jane Doe v. Board of Police Commissioners of Metropolitan Toronto et al. (1998), 60 O.T.C. 321; 160 D.L.R.(4th) 697 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 362].

Nelles v. Ontario et al., [1989] 2 S.C.R. 170; 98 N.R. 321; 35 O.A.C. 161; 49 C.C.L.T. 217, refd to. [para. 362].

Brooks v. Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis et al., [2005] U.K.H.L. 24; 338 N.R. 1 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 363].

Hill Estate v. Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, [1988] 2 All E.R. 238; 102 N.R. 241 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 367].

Just v. British Columbia, [1989] 2 S.C.R. 1228; 103 N.R. 1; 64 D.L.R.(4th) 689, refd to. [para. 373].

Saskatchewan Wheat Pool v. Canada, [1983] 1 S.C.R. 205; 45 N.R. 425; 143 D.L.R.(3d) 9, refd to. [para. 376].

R. v. Cunningham, [1957] 2 Q.B. 396 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 386].

Rivtow Marine Ltd. v. Washington Iron Works, [1974] S.C.R. 1189, refd to. [para. 407].

Miller (Ed) Sales and Rentals Ltd. v. Caterpillar Tractor Co. et al. (1996), 187 A.R. 81; 127 W.A.C. 81 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 409].

Canada Cement LaFarge Ltd. et al. v. British Columbia Lightweight Aggregate Ltd. et al., [1983] 1 S.C.R. 452; 47 N.R. 191, refd to. [para. 411].

Athey v. Leonati et al., [1996] 3 S.C.R. 458; 203 N.R. 36; 81 B.C.A.C. 243; 132 W.A.C. 243; 140 D.L.R.(4th) 235, refd to. [para. 421].

Ontario (Minister of Labour) v. Hamilton (City) (2002), 155 O.A.C. 225; 58 O.R.(3d) 37 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 562].

P.G. Restaurant Ltd. v. Northern Interior Regional Health Board et al. (2005), 211 B.C.A.C. 219; 349 W.A.C. 219 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 645].

Reeves v. Arsenault; Reeves v. Gauthier (1998), 168 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 251; 517 A.P.R. 251 (P.E.I.C.A.), refd to. [para. 645].

Statutes Noticed:

Hamilton (City) Bylaws, Bylaw No. 80-259, sect. 3, sect. 41, sect. 42, sect. 44, sect. 45 [para. 76].

Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H-7, sect. 1(1), sect. 4 [para. 72]; sect. 5, sect. 10 [para. 73]; sect. 62(1)(a), sect. 67 [para. 74]; sect. 95 [para. 95]; sect. 95(3) [para. 96].

Libel and Slander Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L-12, sect. 5(1) [para. 113].

Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1970, c. 284, sect. 352 77(c) [para. 75].

Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M-45, sect. 210.3 [para. 110].

Public Authorities Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P-38, sect. 7(1), sect. 11 [para. 70].

Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R-12, sect. 4 [para. 77]; sect. 20 [para. 72].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Boivin, Denis W., Accommodating Freedom of Expression and Reputation in the Common Law of Defamation (1997), 22 Queen's L.J. 229, generally [para. 170].

Brown, Raymond E., Defamation Law: A Primer (1st Ed. 2003), p. 65 [para. 203].

Brown, Raymond E., The Law of Defamation in Canada (2nd Ed.) (1999 Looseleaf Supp.), vol. 1, pp. 6-1 [para. 172]; 7-15 [paras. 204, 205]; 7-16 [para. 300]; vol. 2, paras. 13.6(3)(d)(iv) [para. 317]; 13.6(4)(b)(i) [para. 315]; 13.6(4)(b)(iii) [para. 309]; 13.7(2)(o) [para. 318].

Brown, Raymond E., The Law of Defamation in Canada (2nd Ed. 1994) (2004 Looseleaf Supp.), vol. 3, para. 17.3(2)(b)(i)(c) [para. 117].

Cassels, Jamie, Remedies: The Law of Damages (2000), c. 2(F)(1) [paras. 143, 163].

Downard, Peter A., Libel (2003), p. 181 [para. 327].

Duncan and Neill on Defamation (2nd Ed. 1983), p. 40 [para. 312].

Feldthusen, Bruce, Economic Negligence: The Recovery of Pure Economic Loss (4th Ed. 2000), p. 1 [paras. 154, 161].

Feldthusen, Bruce, Pure Economic Loss and Statutory Public Authority Liability after Cooper v. Hobart (2005), generally [para. 375].

Fridman, Gerald Henry Louis, The Law of Torts in Canada (2nd Ed. 2002), pp. 278, 279 [para. 262].

Gatley, Clement, Libel and Slander (10th Ed. 2003), p. 180 [para. 318]; paras. 8.16, 8.19 [para. 202]; 441 [para. 243].

Linden, Allen M., Canadian Tort Law (7th Ed. 2001), generally [para. 144]; p. 408 [para. 143].

McConchie, Roger D., and Potts, David A., Canadian Libel and Slander Actions (2004), p. 371 [para. 246].

Osborne, Philip H., The Law of Torts (2000), p. 354 [para. 175].

Rogers, Ian MacFee, The Law of Canadian Municipal Corporations (2nd Ed.) (2003 Looseleaf Supp.), vol. 1, §§ 32.3 [para. 264]; 256.4 [para. 267]; 257.2 [para. 270].

Counsel:

Julian N. Falconer, Richard Macklin, Roy and George Babits, for the plaintiff;

Peter Jacobsen and Carlos Martins, for the defendant, City of Hamilton;

John Evans and Grant Brailsford, for the other defendants.

This action was heard on April 19, 2004 to July 8, 2005 (with adjournments), at Hamilton, Ontario, by Crane, J., of the Ontario Superior Court, who released the following decision on December 13, 2005.

Please note: The following judgment has not been edited.