BPC Bulletin: British Columbia's High Court Rules in Favour of Author Steven Galloway
News Reports and Commentary Selected by Franklin Carter of the Book and Periodical Council’s Freedom of Expression Committee.
The Court of Appeal of British Columbia has ruled that author Steven Galloway may pursue his defamation lawsuit against a woman, whom court documents refer to as A.B., and others.
Lawyers acting for the defendants have tried unsuccessfully to get Galloway’s lawsuit dismissed as a SLAPP.
Galloway was once an author of best-selling novels and the chair of creative writing at the University of British Columbia. A.B. was once a graduate student who studied creative writing at the university.
Galloway and A.B. had a personal relationship between 2011 and 2013. Galloway described the relationship as consensual while A.B. said it was abusive and non-consensual.
In 2016, a university investigation concluded that Galloway had engaged in inappropriate behaviour with a student. The university fired him.
On Twitter and elsewhere, A.B. accused Galloway of sexual and physical assault. Others repeated the accusations. In 2018, Galloway responded by filing a defamation lawsuit.
None of the allegations in Galloway’s lawsuit, nor those of his accuser, have been tested yet in court.
THE COURT’S RULING
Read the decision of the Court of Appeal of British Columbia:
https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/ca/24/00/2024BCCA0008.htm#SCJTITLE
REPORTAGE
The Canadian Press reports:
Former UBC professor’s rape defamation lawsuit can proceed, court says | Globalnews.ca
Jason Proctor of CBC News reports:
In the Vancouver Sun, Susan Lazaruk reports:
COMMENTARY
In the Vancouver Sun, Douglas Todd comments:
Why has Steven Galloway been denied his day in court for so long? | Vancouver Sun
In The Globe and Mail, Marsha Lederman comments:
The Book and Periodical Council was formed in 1975 as the Book and Periodical Development Council to provide a venue for members to discuss industry issues, address mutual concerns and undertake projects for the benefit of Canadian writing and publishing.
