Both sides are awaiting the outcome of a Dec. 14 hearing in the case of a self professed county watchdog who is facing a defamation lawsuit from two senior Wellington County officials.
Justice William Hourigan reserved a decision after a whole day of arguments from Ryder Gilliland, of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and Chris Wayland, the lawyer for CAO Scott Wilson and county councillor and Puslinch Mayor Brad Whitcombe.
About a year ago Wilson and Whitcombe filed a $2.4-million lawsuit against Guelph resident Bill Manderson for alleged defamatory statements made in personal letters and on his website smelly-welly.com.
The Civil Liberties Association intervened in Manderson’s case to defend what it perceives as the right of citizens to criticize government. It has asked the court to dismiss the libel lawsuit against Manderson.
“This case is not about me; it’s about civil liberty,” Manderson told the Advertiser on Tuesday.
Wayland said in an interview he has no idea when Hourigan will release his decision. Manderson did not know either but predicted it likely won’t come before Christmas.
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There is a parallel court case ongoing, in which Wilson and Whitcombe are seeking a peace bond against Manderson. Wayland said that case is expected to go to court again at the end of January.
