Defamation, Privacy and Media Law 2025

Course Chair
Daniel H. Coles — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver

About the Course Chair
Dan Coles is a trial lawyer and shareholder (partner) at Owen Bird in Vancouver. His practice has an emphasis on defamation law and acting as counsel to news media. He has experience in both bringing and resisting applications made under the Protection of Public Participation Act (anti-SLAPP legislation), including appeals.

Dan is an advocate for freedom of the press and other media. He appears regularly in court, and before tribunals, as counsel for news organizations. He assists journalists by providing pre-publication advice, as well as obtaining access to court exhibits and opposing publication bans, sealing orders, and in camera court proceedings.

Faculty
Daniel W. Burnett, KC — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver
Scott A. Dawson — Dennis Dawson James Aitken LLP, Vancouver
Kaley Pulfer — DMG Advocates LLP, Toronto
Daniel J. Reid — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver
Danielle Stone — Senior Legal Counsel, CBC, Halifax
David F. Sutherland, KC — David F. Sutherland & Associates, Vancouver
Robyn P.M. Trask — Vice Chair, BC Labour Relations Board, Vancouver
Professor Hilary Young — UNB Faculty of Law, Fredericton

Course Materials Contributor
Gabriel Rincon — Dennis Dawson James Aitken LLP, Vancouver

Click here for full faculty bios

Course Introduction and Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:10)

Raymond Lee — Program Lawyer, CLEBC, Vancouver
Daniel H. Coles — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver

The Real Battlegrounds: Meaning, Responsibility and Fact v. Comment (9:10 – 10:05)

Daniel J. Reid — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver
Danielle Stone — Senior Legal Counsel, CBC, Halifax
David F. Sutherland, KC — David F. Sutherland & Associates, Vancouver

BREAK (10:05 – 10:15)

Protection of Public Participation Act ("SLAPP") 101 (Substantive Law/Tests) (10:15 – 11:10)

Daniel J. Reid — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver
David F. Sutherland, KC — David F. Sutherland & Associates, Vancouver
Robyn P.M. Trask — Vice Chair, BC Labour Relations Board, Vancouver

BREAK (11:10 – 11:20)

Political Speech, Social Movements, Injunctions, and the Law of Defamation (11:20 – 12:15)

Daniel W. Burnett, KC — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver
Scott A. Dawson — Dennis Dawson James Aitken LLP, Vancouver
Robyn P.M. Trask — Vice Chair, BC Labour Relations Board, Vancouver

LUNCH (12:15 – 1:00)

Defamation Law Reform in Canada and Elsewhere: Uniform Law Conference (1:00 – 1:55)

Daniel W. Burnett, KC — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver
Professor Hilary Young — UNB Faculty of Law, Fredericton

BREAK (1:55 – 2:05)

Protection of Public Participation Act ("SLAPP") 201 (Practice and Procedure) (2:05 – 3:05)

Daniel W. Burnett, KC — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver
Scott A. Dawson — Dennis Dawson James Aitken LLP, Vancouver
Kaley Pulfer — DMG Advocates LLP, Toronto

Closing Remarks (3:05 – 3:10)

Daniel H. Coles — Owen Bird Law Corporation, Vancouver