We really need legislation to stop SLAPPs. According to the Ontario Anti-SLAPP panel report:
"Strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP)
has been defined as a lawsuit initiated against one or more
individuals or groups that speak out or take a position on an issue
of public interest. SLAPPs use the court system to limit the
effectiveness of the opposing party's speech or conduct. SLAPPs
can intimidate opponents, deplete their resources, reduce their
ability to participate in public affairs, and deter others from
participating in discussion on matters of public
interest."
The 2008 report of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario
stressed the need for legislation to end strategic litigation
against public participation. "The Panel was persuaded that
threats of lawsuits for speaking out on matters of public interest,
combined with a number of actual lawsuits, deter significant
numbers of people from participating in discussions on such
matters. The
