Kamloops councillor wins damages in mayor defamation case
Kamloops defamation case ends with a councillor winning damages and court costs Anti-SLAPP ruling backs political speech as the mayor says he will appeal
A Kamloops city councillor says she has been awarded damages and full court costs in a defamation case brought by the city’s mayor, ending a longrunning legal dispute in British Columbia.
Coun. Katie Neustaeter said the B.C. Supreme Court awarded her $5,000 after dismissing Mayor Reid HamerJackson’s lawsuit earlier this year under antiSLAPP law, which is meant to protect political speech and public participation. Neustaeter said the ruling sends a message that elected officials should not use litigation to target political opponents.
The mayor had sued in 2023 over internal emails and a public statement Neustaeter read on behalf of council. The case also involved concerns about his contact with Neustaeter’s father, former MLA Kevin Krueger, who has dementia. HamerJackson said he plans to appeal. Both councillors are running in the Oct. 17 municipal election.