SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.
This type of lawsuit is usually filed by large organizations in response to public criticism.
On July 5, 2000 a bill was introduced in the BC Legislature, which allowed for the dismissal of lawsuits against individuals or groups that have spoken out on issues of public concern. It was called the Protection of Public Participation Act ( Bill 29). This bill did not complete the legislative process in 2000. It was reintroduced in the next session as Bill 10 and came into force on April 11, 2001 as the Protection of Public Participation Act, S.B.C. 2001, c. 19. This Act was repealed on August 16, 2001 by the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2001, S.B.C. 2001, c. 32, s. 28.
See the Official Report of Debates of the Legislative Assembly (Hansard), (14 August 2001), page 482 (Hon. Geoff Plant) for discussion surrounding the Act's repeal.
- Protection of Public Participation Act (Bill 29) - BC Legislative Assembly
- Bill 10 - BC Legislative Assembly
- Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2001, SBC 2001, c. 32, s. 28 - BC Legislative Assembly
- Official Report of Debates of the Legislative Assembly (Hansard), (14 August 2001) - BC Legislative Assembly