Ollivier sues Quebecor over scandal
Dominique Ollivier is suing Quebecor for $1.6 million, saying they dragged her reputation through the mud over the OCPM expenses scandal.
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Ian 11:15 on 2024-02-03 Permalink
Does it count as dragging her reputation through the mud if she actually demonstrably did what she was accused of?
Kate 12:24 on 2024-02-03 Permalink
As she says, the expenses were approved and legal, although admitting “ce n’est pas parce que des dépenses sont légales et permises qu’elles sont acceptables.” But Quebecor was pushing an interpretation of her actions to suggest she had done things that were technically illegal or corrupt.
I think it’s not beyond imagining that Quebecor didn’t like seeing a Black woman elevated to the traditionally powerful position of chairman of the city’s executive committee, but the piece says nothing about Ollivier alleging racism in her case.
Ian 18:24 on 2024-02-03 Permalink
Perhaps Plante will come to her rescue /s
Kate 19:46 on 2024-02-03 Permalink
The item says Ollivier is still in Projet, and may yet get back into the executive committee, but not as chairman. Plante has been quick to expel others from the party so I think this alone is evidence of Plante’s estimation of the situation. Ollivier never did anything as chairman that caused any scandal.
H. John 11:53 on 2024-02-04 Permalink
@Ian to answer your question” Does it count as dragging her reputation through the mud if she actually demonstrably did what she was accused of?”
The answer is possibly.
Unlike common law, in civil law truth is not an absolute defence.
The SCC explained in 2004 in a case involving a CBC broadcast:
“Truth and public interest are factors to consider but they are not necessarily the determinative factors. It is insufficient in this case to focus merely on the veracity of the content of the second broadcast report. One must look globally at the tenor of the broadcast, the way it was conducted and the context surrounding it. The guiding principle of liability for defamation is that there will not be fault until it has been shown that the journalist or media outlet in question has fallen below professional standards. The conduct of the reasonable journalist becomes the all‑important guidepost.”
https://decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/2168/index.do
H. John 19:04 on 2024-02-04 Permalink
Yves Boisvert doesn’t think much of her chance of success:
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/chroniques/2024-02-04/blamer-les-medias.php
Ian 19:41 on 2024-02-04 Permalink
Thank you for the clarification; very interesting.
Kate 19:52 on 2024-02-04 Permalink
H. John, I’d like to see Quebecor have their wrists slapped, but Boisvert is probably right.