SLAPP Battles in the 6ix

Beneath the Law

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What happens when a 24-year-old student takes on a powerful developer—and wins?

Gavin Tighe and Stephen Thiele dig into Sheridan Retail Inc. v. Roy, a landmark Ontario case that captures the very essence of anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) legislation.

They unpack the David-and-Goliath dynamics between a large developer and a university student who dared to speak up about potential code violations in a redevelopment project.

Gavin and Stephen explore the wider implications of public discourse, the abuse of legal systems to silence opposition, and how the courts are pushing back in defense of free expression.

Listen For

0:26 Sweating the Law: No A/C and Smog in Downtown Toronto

2:51 Legal Bullying 101: Developers vs. Ratepayer Groups

5:13 David vs. Developer: The Sheridan Retail Inc. Case

7:51 $300,000 Lawsuit Against a 24-Year-Old

10:05 Judge Calls Out Strategic Silencing

13:14 Damages Awarded To the Defendant? Yes.

17:07 In Defense of Development: The Other Side of the Story
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Contact Us

Gardiner Roberts website | Gavin email | Stephen email

Chapters

1. SLAPP Battles in the 6ix (00:00:00)

2. Sweating the Law: No A/C and Smog in Downtown Toronto (00:00:26)

3. Legal Bullying 101: Developers vs. Ratepayer Groups (00:02:51)

4. David vs. Developer: The Sheridan Retail Inc. Case (00:05:31)

5. $300,000 Lawsuit Against a 24-Year-Old (00:07:51)

6. Judge Calls Out Strategic Silencing (00:10:05)

7. amages Awarded To the Defendant? Yes. (00:13:14)

8. In Defense of Development: The Other Side of the Story (00:17:07)