What is: Defamation Law

Given the interest in the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial, Sean Sinclair was asked by the Saskatoon StarPhoenix to explain some basic concepts about defamation law.  The news article reviews the definition of defamation; how damages are assessed; and some defences to a defamation claim.  The article can be found here.

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Sinclair appointed to the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan

Sean Sinclair has been appointed to the board of directors of the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan.  The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan serves an important role in promoting access to justice by funding organizations involved with legal education, legal research, legal aid, law libraries and law reform. 

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Internet and Social Media Defamation

I commonly receive telephone calls related to internet and social media defamation. The internet and social media are ripe with slanderous statements posted by people who perceive they have absolute anonymity. These posts can impact people’s careers, their families,...

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Delay in Professional Disciplinary Cases

Abrametz v Law Society of Saskatchewan is an important new decision from the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal dealing with the impact of delay in professional disciplinary cases. The charges against a lawyer under discipline, Peter Abrametz, were stayed by the Court of...

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Sinclair lifts publication ban on name of teen

Sean Sinclair successfully brought an application to lift a publication ban for the CBC in a sexual assault and drug trafficking case.  The victim, Tonya Pahtayken, a 15-year old leukemia survivor, died shortly after testifying in the criminal trial.  There had been a...

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Importance of the Press

On March 26, 2020, the Government of Saskatchewan further limited the businesses that can continue to operate in the province as a result of COVID-19.  Among the “critical services” that are to be maintained are local and national media. Journalists across our...

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Privacy of Intimate Images in a Digital Age

Privacy of Intimate Images and Videos in a Digital Age By Sean Sinclair of Robertson Stromberg LLP   The online distribution of intimate images and videos (often referred to as “revenge porn”) is a growing problem in Canada.  According to the RCMP, as outlined in...

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Sean Sinclair Presents at Media Lawyers Conference

The Canadian Media Lawyers Association held their annual meeting in Toronto November 8th and 9th, 2019.  As part of the conference, Sean Sinclair spoke on recent updates and developments in Media Law across the prairies. You can learn more about this organization...

read more

Sean Sinclair on Right to Know Panel

The Public Service Information Community Connection (PSICC) is presenting 2019 Saskatchewan Connections Conference : Access, Privacy, Security, IM, & Health Information September 26 and 27 in Saskatoon. At the conference, the Information and Privacy Commissioner...

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Sean Sinclair Represents Media in Police Scanner Issue

Media outlets in Saskatchewan no longer have access to Police One, the police radio scanner that allowed journalists to hear what is happening on the secure police channel. Both Saskatoon and Regina police services say they have closed their scanner channels to media...

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National Volunteer Week 2022: Highlighting Robertson Stromberg’s Community Partnerships

From April 24 to 30, Canadians celebrate National Volunteer Week (NVW2022). This year’s theme is Volunteering is Empathy in Action and honours the dedicated volunteers that bring heart to Canada’s communities.

At Robertson Stromberg LLP, we are very proud of our community involvement and our active participation as volunteers with local non-profit organizations. We have deep roots in our community, and we are proud to call the city of Saskatoon home.

Robertson Stromberg’s community partnerships have three central components – volunteer Board memberships, sponsorships and donations, and community involvement.

Board Memberships

 
Non-profit organizations are essential for building an engaged and collaborative community. Our lawyers serve on Boards as a way to support our community and to build capacity within organizations that often have limited resources.

As Board members, Robertson Stromberg lawyers volunteer their time – and provide governance expertise and oversight – to some of our community’s most active non-profit organizations and charities.

Our Board memberships include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon and Area, CHEP Good Food, Dress for Success Saskatoon, the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan, OUTSaskatoon, READ Saskatoon, Remai Modern art gallery and Station 20 West community centre. These organizations address issues ranging from food security in the city’s core neighbourhoods to inclusiveness and economic empowerment.

As Board members, Robertson Stromberg lawyers volunteer their time – and provide governance expertise and oversight – to some of our community’s most active non-profit organizations and charities.

Sponsorships and Donations

 
Robertson Stromberg recognizes that the backbone of any charitable organization is its volunteers. That’s why we commit our sponsorship dollars to assist non-profit organizations in building capacity to support those individuals who give their time to make our community great.

Some examples of organizations we support through sponsorships and donations are the Okihtcitawak Patrol Group (OPG), the Sum Theatre and the Secret Santa Foundation. The OPG is an Indigenous created and led community-based patrol group that services Saskatoon’s core neighbourhoods. As an independent theatre company, Sum Theatre’s mission is to build community by creating inclusive experiences. The Secret Santa Foundation’s mandate is to provide a complete Christmas to 600 less fortunate Saskatoon families with children under 12.

Community Involvement

 
As a community-minded full-service law firm, Robertson Stromberg lawyers provide pro bono legal services to individuals and organizations across the province. Through the Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA), our lawyers offer legal advice clinics at the Saskatoon Public Library. We also participate with Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan (PBLS) to provide free legal services to low-income provincial residents.

Our community involvement isn’t limited only to legal services. RS Partner Misty Alexandre volunteers as head coach of both the Comet Lazers U9B Hockey Team and the Comet Blasters U7 Hockey Team. Partner Kirsten Hnatuk volunteers as a literacy coach with READ Saskatoon’s literacy program. And, partner Kim Anderson, Q.C., is a member of the Appeals Board for Saskatoon Youth Soccer.

Let’s celebrate Canada’s volunteers together. #NVW2022 #EmpathyInAction #VolunteersBringHeart

Related News and Articles

Clavelle Successfully Advocates for Developer

On January 3, 2023, the Development Appeals Board for Saskatoon allowed an appeal brought by Curtis Clavelle of Robertson Stromberg LLP on behalf of Arbutus Properties Ltd. to lift a holding symbol with respect to land Arbutus wished to develop in Saskatoon. The...

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James Steele Joins Robertson Stromberg LLP Partnership

Congratulations to James Steele who became Robertson Stromberg’s newest partner on January 1, 2023.  James joined Robertson Stromberg as an articling student and, since his call to the bar in 2015, has been an important member of the litigation department.James has...

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Sean Sinclair quoted on impact of anti-SLAPP (strategic litigation against public participation) legislation

Sean Sinclair was quoted in a CBC story about the impact of anti-SLAPP (strategic litigation against public participation) legislation.  A private member’s bill in Saskatchewan is proposing that Saskatchewan, like B.C., Ontario and Quebec, enact legislation that protects against defamation actions designed to silence public debate and scrutiny.

Read the article here.

Related News and Articles

Sinclair appointed to the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan

Sean Sinclair has been appointed to the board of directors of the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan.  The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan serves an important role in promoting access to justice by funding organizations involved with legal education, legal research, legal aid, law libraries and law reform. 

read more

Internet and Social Media Defamation

I commonly receive telephone calls related to internet and social media defamation. The internet and social media are ripe with slanderous statements posted by people who perceive they have absolute anonymity. These posts can impact people’s careers, their families,...

read more

Delay in Professional Disciplinary Cases

Abrametz v Law Society of Saskatchewan is an important new decision from the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal dealing with the impact of delay in professional disciplinary cases. The charges against a lawyer under discipline, Peter Abrametz, were stayed by the Court of...

read more

Sinclair lifts publication ban on name of teen

Sean Sinclair successfully brought an application to lift a publication ban for the CBC in a sexual assault and drug trafficking case.  The victim, Tonya Pahtayken, a 15-year old leukemia survivor, died shortly after testifying in the criminal trial.  There had been a...

read more

Importance of the Press

On March 26, 2020, the Government of Saskatchewan further limited the businesses that can continue to operate in the province as a result of COVID-19.  Among the “critical services” that are to be maintained are local and national media. Journalists across our...

read more

Privacy of Intimate Images in a Digital Age

Privacy of Intimate Images and Videos in a Digital Age By Sean Sinclair of Robertson Stromberg LLP   The online distribution of intimate images and videos (often referred to as “revenge porn”) is a growing problem in Canada.  According to the RCMP, as outlined in...

read more

Sean Sinclair Presents at Media Lawyers Conference

The Canadian Media Lawyers Association held their annual meeting in Toronto November 8th and 9th, 2019.  As part of the conference, Sean Sinclair spoke on recent updates and developments in Media Law across the prairies. You can learn more about this organization...

read more

Sean Sinclair on Right to Know Panel

The Public Service Information Community Connection (PSICC) is presenting 2019 Saskatchewan Connections Conference : Access, Privacy, Security, IM, & Health Information September 26 and 27 in Saskatoon. At the conference, the Information and Privacy Commissioner...

read more

Sean Sinclair Represents Media in Police Scanner Issue

Media outlets in Saskatchewan no longer have access to Police One, the police radio scanner that allowed journalists to hear what is happening on the secure police channel. Both Saskatoon and Regina police services say they have closed their scanner channels to media...

read more

Can a complainant appeal the outcome of a professional regulatory investigation?

The process for most professional regulatory complaints is largely the same: (1) a complaint is lodged with the regulator; (2) an investigation is undertaken; (3) the investigating body either determines that no further action should be undertaken or the complaint is referred to a discipline hearing.

Of course, a complainant may be unhappy with the outcome of an investigation, particularly if the matter does not proceed to a discipline hearing. It has though been quite rare that a complainant takes steps to appeal the decision of the investigative body.

In a new decision, Cameron v APEGS, 2021 SKQB 318, the court considered an application for judicial review (which is somewhat like an appeal) by a complainant of a decision of an investigative body to not refer a matter to a disciplinary committee. The complainant raised several issues, including that the investigative body’s reasons were insufficient.  The complainant sought disclosure of the evidence compiled during the investigation.

The court dismissed the request for judicial review by the complainant. The court found that a complainant had a very limited right to seek judicial review. A complainant has a right to “procedural fairness” to be heard and for an investigation to be conducted.

The complainant though has no right to challenge the reasonableness of the decision of the investigative body. Further, the court indicated that an investigative body is not required to give reasons for its decision. A complainant is not entitled to receive a copy of the evidence compiled by the investigative body.

Essentially, a professional regulator’s investigation is akin to a police complaint. Ultimately, the Crown or police must determine whether charges will be laid. A complainant cannot force charges to be laid.

This decision supports the rights of regulators to control their own processes and conduct investigations as they deem appropriate.

Contacting a Lawyer on this Subject

The above is for general information only, and not legal advice. Parties should always seek legal advice prior to taking action in specific situations. Contact Sean Sinclair at 1-306-933-1367 or [email protected] to learn more.

Related News and Articles

Sinclair appointed to the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan

Sean Sinclair has been appointed to the board of directors of the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan.  The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan serves an important role in promoting access to justice by funding organizations involved with legal education, legal research, legal aid, law libraries and law reform. 

read more

Internet and Social Media Defamation

I commonly receive telephone calls related to internet and social media defamation. The internet and social media are ripe with slanderous statements posted by people who perceive they have absolute anonymity. These posts can impact people’s careers, their families,...

read more

Delay in Professional Disciplinary Cases

Abrametz v Law Society of Saskatchewan is an important new decision from the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal dealing with the impact of delay in professional disciplinary cases. The charges against a lawyer under discipline, Peter Abrametz, were stayed by the Court of...

read more

Sinclair lifts publication ban on name of teen

Sean Sinclair successfully brought an application to lift a publication ban for the CBC in a sexual assault and drug trafficking case.  The victim, Tonya Pahtayken, a 15-year old leukemia survivor, died shortly after testifying in the criminal trial.  There had been a...

read more

Importance of the Press

On March 26, 2020, the Government of Saskatchewan further limited the businesses that can continue to operate in the province as a result of COVID-19.  Among the “critical services” that are to be maintained are local and national media. Journalists across our...

read more

Privacy of Intimate Images in a Digital Age

Privacy of Intimate Images and Videos in a Digital Age By Sean Sinclair of Robertson Stromberg LLP   The online distribution of intimate images and videos (often referred to as “revenge porn”) is a growing problem in Canada.  According to the RCMP, as outlined in...

read more

Sean Sinclair Presents at Media Lawyers Conference

The Canadian Media Lawyers Association held their annual meeting in Toronto November 8th and 9th, 2019.  As part of the conference, Sean Sinclair spoke on recent updates and developments in Media Law across the prairies. You can learn more about this organization...

read more

Sean Sinclair on Right to Know Panel

The Public Service Information Community Connection (PSICC) is presenting 2019 Saskatchewan Connections Conference : Access, Privacy, Security, IM, & Health Information September 26 and 27 in Saskatoon. At the conference, the Information and Privacy Commissioner...

read more

Sean Sinclair Represents Media in Police Scanner Issue

Media outlets in Saskatchewan no longer have access to Police One, the police radio scanner that allowed journalists to hear what is happening on the secure police channel. Both Saskatoon and Regina police services say they have closed their scanner channels to media...

read more

Sean Sinclair Fights to Open Court File

Sean Sinclair, representing the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Globe & Mail, brought a successful court application to open up part of a court file about the residential school system settlement. Sean was quoted in the related news story saying, “I think the result is a really important outcome for openness and transparency for our court system. It goes to that old maxim that justice not only must be done — it must be seen to be done.”

The CBC news story can be found here.

“I think the result is a really important outcome for openness and transparency for our court system. It goes to that old maxim that justice not only must be done — it must be seen to be done.”

– Sean M. Sinclair

Sean M. Sinclair

Direct: (306) 933-1304
Main: (306) 652-7575
Fax: (306) 652-2445
Email: [email protected]

RELATED NEWS AND ARTICLES

What is: Defamation Law

Given the interest in the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial, Sean Sinclair was asked by the Saskatoon StarPhoenix to explain some basic concepts about defamation law.  The news article reviews the definition of defamation; how damages are assessed; and some...

read more

Sean Sinclair Fights to Open Court File

Sean Sinclair, representing the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Globe & Mail, brought a successful court application to open up part of a court file about the residential school system settlement. Sean was quoted in the related news story saying, "I...

read more

Jennifer D. Pereira, Q.C. and Sean M. Sinclair recognized as Benchmark Litigation Future Stars

Jennifer D. Pereira, Q.C. and Sean M. Sinclair have been recognized as Benchmark Litigation Future Stars!

Benchmark Litigation is the definitive guide to the leading litigation law firms and lawyers around the world.

Research is conducted through extensive interviews with litigators, dispute resolution specialists and their clients to identify the leading litigators and firms.

Congratulations, Jennifer and Sean!

Whether it’s personal or business, we handle cases ranging from wills to overseeing complex business deals, and everything in between. Our success comes as a result of our collective effort. Combining the experience of your lawyer together with the resources of our team, you can put your trust in us to handle your case with confidence.

LawyersSean M Sinclair