Summary

This bill replaces Saskatchewan's existing defamation law (The Libel and Slander Act) with a new framework that includes a pre-lawsuit notice requirement, a single publication rule for online content, and procedures for consolidating multiple defamation actions. The bill also grants courts authority to order internet intermediaries to remove or de-index defamatory content.

This bill sets out the rules for defamation lawsuits in Saskatchewan. Before suing, a person must give the publisher 14 days' written notice describing the allegedly defamatory words. The bill introduces a single publication rule, meaning that for online content, the limitation period runs from when the content was first published, not each time someone views it, unless the manner of republication is materially different. If one person sues multiple defendants over the same defamation, courts can consolidate the cases and apportion damages between defendants. Courts gain authority to order defendants, internet intermediaries, and search engines to remove or de-index defamatory content. The bill creates privileges (legal protections from defamation liability) for fair and accurate reports of public meetings, court proceedings, and peer-reviewed scientific publications. Apologies made before or shortly after a lawsuit can reduce damages. The bill leaves key implementation details, including notice forms and service methods, to cabinet regulations.