A former British Columbia school trustee has been found guilty of making defamatory remarks towards a strip-tease artist, according to a recent ruling by a judge.
The incident in question occurred during a school board meeting in 2018, when Barry Neufeld, a former Chilliwack school trustee, made a comment about a local strip-tease artist who had been invited to speak at a school event. Neufeld referred to the artist as a “former stripper” and questioned her credibility as a speaker.
The artist, who cannot be named due to a publication ban, filed a defamation lawsuit against Neufeld, claiming that his remarks had damaged her reputation and caused her emotional distress.
In his ruling, Justice Gordon Weatherill stated that Neufeld’s comments were “clearly defamatory” and that they had caused harm to the artist’s reputation. He also noted that Neufeld had failed to provide any evidence to support his claims about the artist’s past profession.
The judge ordered Neufeld to pay $75,000 in damages to the artist, as well as $25,000 in punitive damages. In addition, Neufeld was also ordered to issue a public apology to the artist and to refrain from making any further defamatory remarks about her.
The artist’s lawyer, Roger McConchie, stated that the ruling was a “vindication” for his client and that it sent a strong message that defamatory comments will not be tolerated.
Neufeld, who resigned from his position as a school trustee in 2020, has not yet commented on the ruling. However, his lawyer, Paul Jaffe, stated that they are considering an appeal.
This case serves as a reminder that public figures, such as school trustees, have a responsibility to choose their words carefully and to refrain from making defamatory statements that could harm the reputation of others.
