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ARTICLE · 18 JANUARY 2023

Freedom Of Expression Prevails In Responses To COVID-19 Protest Organizers' Defamation Action

Gardiner Roberts LLP
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March 2020 will live in our memories forever. It is the month that, among other things, the world panicked, that governments issued emergency orders to shutdown non-essential businesses, and that workplaces which could do so transitioned to accept work-from-home business models.

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Stephen Thiele
Stephen Thiele
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March 2020 will live in our memories forever. It is the month that, among other things, the world panicked, that governments issued emergency orders to shutdown non-essential businesses, and that workplaces which could do so transitioned to accept work-from-home business models. As reality over the COVID-19 pandemic became entrenched and vaccines were rapidly studied and produced, debate regarding this coronavirus and its spread, and the potential side-effects of the vaccines developed. In Canada, a ground-swell of opposition to government mandates led to protests, the most notable being the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa. Other notable rallies or protests took place outside of hospitals. More than 15 of these rallies or protests were organized by the Canadian Frontline Nurses (the "CFN"), which had been founded by two registered nurses. In a digital flyer, the CFN promoted their rallies or protests using the following slogans:

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