Ontario court issues landmark $1.75M defamation ruling protecting 2SLGBTQIA+ advocates and sexual health organizations

August 20, 2025

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has issued a landmark ruling in CATIE et al v. Blackwell, awarding significant damages and injunctive relief to CATIE and several of its current and former board members and staff in response to a sustained online hate campaign targeting their work and identities.

The Court found that the defendant engaged in a malicious and defamatory campaign falsely labelling staff and board members of the non-profit health information organization as “groomers” because of the organization’s role in publishing HIV prevention and sexual health information. These attacks were rooted in homophobia and aimed at undermining CATIE’s mission to reduce sexually transmitted infections through evidence-based information and education.

“This ruling is a powerful affirmation of the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people and the organizations that serve them,” said Jody Jollimore, executive director of CATIE and a co-plaintiff on the legal action. “It sends a clear message that hate-fueled defamation – especially when it targets those working to improve public health – will not be tolerated.”

The defamatory content, which was widely disseminated on a website and social media, described CATIE, its staff and its volunteer board members as “groomers,” “pedophiles” and “child predators” next to their names, professional affiliations and photographs. The Court recognized the serious reputational harm caused by these attacks and the risk they posed to CATIE’s ability to attract and retain volunteers and staff, and to continue its vital work.

In addition to awarding damages, the Court issued a permanent injunction requiring the removal of defamatory content and prohibiting further publication of similar material.

CATIE was represented by Douglas Judson of Judson Howie LLP.

“This decision is a significant moment in Canadian defamation law,” said Judson. “It reinforces that targeting individuals and organizations with defamatory hate speech – particularly when rooted in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ bigotry – will be met with serious legal consequences.”

CATIE remains committed to its mission of providing accurate, science-based information to support the health and well-being of people living with and at risk of HIV and hepatitis C, including members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized communities.

For more information:

Douglas W. Judson
Judson Howie LLP
Phone: 807-208-0351
Email: doug@judsonhowie.ca

Andrew Brett
CATIE, Canada’s source for HIV and hepatitis C information
Phone: 1-800-263-1638 ext. 268
Email: abrett@catie.ca