Former human rights chief launches defamation lawsuit against Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman
Former Canadian Human Rights commissioner Birju Dattani has taken legal action against Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman, accusing her of orchestrating a “strategic, deliberate, and malicious” campaign against him. The lawsuits were officially filed on Monday in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, with Dattani’s lawyer making the documents available online for public viewing.
According to the statement of claim, Lantsman’s actions led to damaging false accusations being spread about Dattani at a pivotal moment in his career. Following Dattani’s appointment in June 2024, Conservatives and Jewish advocacy groups publicly criticized his selection and demanded his resignation. Despite being celebrated as the first Muslim to lead the commission, Dattani refuted the allegations and ultimately stepped down before assuming the role.
The lawsuit alleges that Lantsman utilized harmful language to tarnish Dattani’s reputation, citing specific social media posts made by the Conservative deputy leader. One such post from Lantsman on Instagram on June 25, 2024, accused Dattani of being antisemitic and perpetuating hate towards Jews. These posts, along with others, were highlighted in the legal action taken by Dattani.
In response to the allegations, Lantsman and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) have denied the claims, with neither party filing statements of defense as of yet. Lantsman and other groups raised concerns about Dattani’s past comments as a student and his involvement in a panel discussion with a member of an Islamic fundamentalist group in 2015. These incidents were cited as reasons for questioning Dattani’s ability to impartially oversee an organization dedicated to combating discrimination.
Despite Dattani’s denials and expressions of regret for past actions, the lawsuit asserts that Lantsman’s defamatory statements caused irreparable harm to his career and reputation. Seeking damages totaling $650,000, Dattani aims to clear his name and hold Lantsman accountable for her actions. In response, a Conservative spokesperson affirmed Lantsman’s intention to vigorously defend against the lawsuit, labeling the claims as baseless.
Additionally, Dattani has initiated legal proceedings against Ezra Levant, the founder of Rebel News, and the CIJA. Levant, who is fundraising to cover his legal expenses, has been accused by Dattani of attempting to silence him through legal action. CIJA’s vice-president of external affairs and general counsel, Richard Marceau, stated that the organization is reviewing the claims made by Dattani.
In light of a fact-finding mission initiated by Justice Minister Arif Virani following complaints from Lantsman and CIJA, a report found no evidence to support claims of antisemitism against Dattani. While the report acknowledged certain omissions in Dattani’s background check forms, it ultimately cleared him of the allegations of harboring antisemitic beliefs.
During a news conference, Dattani expressed the profound impact of the defamation campaign on his life and well-being, emphasizing the toll it has taken on his mental and physical health. He highlighted the broader issue of individuals from marginalized and racialized backgrounds facing similar challenges and emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for tarnishing reputations unjustly.
