Dryden, Ont., councillor reprimanded for social media comments awarded $35K in libel case

Dryden Coun. Ritch Noel, a northwestern Ontario councillor, recently won a significant victory in small claims court after being awarded $35,000 for libel. This legal battle stemmed from comments Noel made on a private Facebook group called Dryden Crime Report, which ultimately led to his removal from a city committee.

The controversy began when Noel commented on a post in the group that mentioned an individual allegedly trespassing on people’s properties. The post humorously referred to the individual as “McBurglar,” prompting Noel to respond with “not anymore bahaha.” Some individuals interpreted this comment as a reference to the death of the person in question, who was a member of Eagle Lake First Nation.

Following this incident, Mayor Jack Harrison issued a statement condemning Noel’s comments, stating that members of council should uphold high standards of respect and compassion both in person and online. Noel, a paralegal, then took legal action against Harrison and the City of Dryden, claiming that the statement was defamatory.

In a teleconference hearing, Superior Court Deputy Judge Kevin G. Cleghorn ruled in Noel’s favor, stating that the publication of the statement was damaging and implied racist behavior on Noel’s part. As a result, Harrison and the City of Dryden were ordered to pay Noel $35,000 in damages.

In response to the court’s decision, Noel expressed relief that his position had been vindicated and his reputation cleared. He criticized the city for hastily condemning him without proper investigation into the context of his comments.

It is worth noting that neither Harrison nor the city provided a defense in the case. However, Noel’s lawyer, Robert Sinding, emphasized that the lawsuit was about protecting Noel’s reputation as a dedicated community member and legal professional.

Moving forward, Noel is still awaiting the integrity commissioner’s report on his conduct. The commissioner’s findings could shed further light on the circumstances surrounding Noel’s controversial social media comments and the subsequent fallout within the City of Dryden.

Overall, this legal victory serves as a reminder of the importance of thoughtful communication, especially for public figures like councillors who are expected to set a positive example for their communities. Noel’s case highlights the potential consequences of online interactions and the need for careful consideration of one’s words in the digital age.