Alain Deneault on strategic lawsuits against public participation (Re-taking the University 2014)
Channel: UBC Social Justice Centre
Date: 2015-01-04

Alain Deneault was sued by Barrick Gold and Banro Corp. for $11 million after writing 'Noir Canada', detailing the abuses of Canadian mining companies in Africa. The lawsuits were widely considered strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), against which there is currently only legislation in Quebec. Deneault ended up reaching out-of-court settlements which involved ceasing to publish the book and paying compensation to the companies.

We watched 'Silence is Gold', a National Film Board of Canada documentary about the lawsuits, and followed by this discussion with Alain Deneault.

Talk hosted by the UBC Social Justice Centre as part of the Re-taking the University conference. Recorded at the Norm Theatre in the Student Union Building on 14 March 2014.