Lawyers delete social media posts amid Federal Court appeal involving Blacklock’s ReporterLawyers delete social media posts amid Federal Court appeal involving Blacklock’s Reporter
In the midst of a heated Federal Court of Appeal case involving Blacklock’s Reporter, lawyers representing opposing interests abruptly deleted social media posts related to the case.
The Law Society of Ontario has long advised legal professionals to steer clear of making "petty" or "intemperate" comments online.
James Plotkin, a counsel for a pro-government intervenor against Blacklock’s, took down a LinkedIn post in which he remarked: “‘Riddled with mistakes’ is a risky stone to throw from a glass house ;).” Plotkin is a partner at Gowling WLG in Ottawa, a firm that received $723,824 in federal contracts last year.
Similarly, Alexander Gay, senior counsel for the Department of Justice, deleted his own LinkedIn post that stated: “Nothing like an appeal to sort it all out. Happy to meet any daring soul in a courtroom.”
The deleted posts came shortly after Blacklock’s filed an appeal on Friday against a May 31 lower court ruling. The ruling allowed federal managers to share passwords to paywalled content without payment or permission, a decision Blacklock’s is now challenging.
The Law Society of Ontario’s guidelines, titled Public Appearances And Statements, emphasize that lawyers should avoid making snide remarks on social media. “Licensees should avoid any criticism that is petty, intemperate or without merit,” the guidelines state, adding that lawyers must consider how their public statements might be perceived, given their influential positions.
The case revolves around Parks Canada manager Genevieve Patenaude, who was caught sharing her Blacklock’s Reporter password with at least nine coworkers. Alexander Gay, the senior federal lawyer in the case, went so far as to label Blacklock’s a “copyright troll” following the initial ruling — a charge that was dismissed by Federal Court Justice Yvan Roy.
“The Attorney General forcefully suggested Blacklock’s modus operandi is akin to copyright trolling, which is described as copyright holders using the threat of litigation to generate revenue,” wrote Roy. However, the judge rejected this claim, stating, “I continue to disregard such assertions.”
Hugh Stephens, a former assistant deputy trade minister, commented that the Department of Justice’s accusations were part of a broader strategy to discredit Blacklock’s.
“Not only has the Attorney General taken a hard line on this case, but it has also tried to blacken Blacklock’s reputation by accusing it of entrapment and being a copyright troll,” Stephens wrote. He noted that the court ultimately dismissed these allegations, finding no intent by Blacklock’s to deceive.
https://www.westernstandard.news/news/lawyers-delete-social-media-posts-amid-federal-court-appeal-involving-blacklocks-reporter/57471
Berta Dad nailed it. Copied from FB.
Jeff Rath’s behaviour toward Danielle Smith is not a good look for this movement, and he does not speak for me.
When this started, I had respect for him. But as this has played out, it has become harder to ignore what appears to be a push for power inside the movement, not a sincere focus on Alberta independence.
Danielle Smith is a major reason Albertans were even able to collect signatures in the first place. Compared to any other premier in this country, I believe she has been the strongest one standing up for her province.
I will not forget her accomplishments.
She stood up for parental rights when others wanted schools keeping parents in the dark.
She took action against political ideology being pushed in classrooms.
She made sure kids got back to school when the system tried to hold families hostage.
She has strengthened Alberta Sheriffs and continued exploring ways to free Alberta from relying on the RCMP.
And that is only part of it.
This ...
WEF/UN/Globalists have proven they can’t be trusted now given the key to Canada. Are you awake yet Canadians??
REPORT: UN Climate Scientists Flip on the Climate Doomsday Narrative | Stand on Guard CLIP
WATCH Have they been lying about climate change this whole time? Are they cancelling climate change doomsday scenario for the data centers?
The UN climate scientists admit the high emission doomsday scenarios were overblown. UN climate change scientists flip: climate change not too bad anymore according to a new report. No doomsday on the horizon.
On this Stand on Guard clip, we question why the UN might be backtracking on previous dire predictions, suggesting a new agenda at play. We examine how this shift could be tied to the proliferation of data center construction and the increasing demands on our power grid from artificial intelligence. It's crucial to consider the broader implications for our communities and hold big tech accountable.
Thank you to @jimmy_dore for pointing out this...
