Saskatchewan man ordered to pay over $150,000 in Facebook defamation case
Saskatchewan defamation ruling: Jack Harper must pay Debra Parry over $150,000 False Facebook claims about the Pleasantdale administrator led to damages and costs
A Saskatchewan judge has ordered Jack Harper to pay more than $150,000 after finding he made false and defamatory Facebook posts about Debra Parry, the former administrator of the Rural Municipality of Pleasantdale.
Court of King’s Bench Justice Grant Currie said Harper accused Parry of stealing public funds, lying and other misconduct in 2020, but the evidence showed the claims were untrue. The ruling awarded Parry $125,000 in general damages and $25,000 in aggravated damages, plus interest and legal costs.
Parry said the posts affected her health, reputation and work, while her lawyer said the case highlights the harassment municipal administrators can face online. Harper did not attend the trial and told CBC he plans to continue posting about the case.