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6 Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, December 15, 2016 | WINTER SpEcIal 5 weeks $ of classes NEWS Legal action a SLAPP: lawyer tress. She's doing so under recent legislation that came into effect in November 2015. The Protection of Public Participation Act is meant to protect the rights of Ontario residents to speak out on public issues without fear, Callaway said, noting this case will be one of the first `Being a mom and to test Ontario's antiSLAPP legislation. a teacher, I never Alec Cloke, owner thought that speak- and operator of United Soils, told ing out would land the Sun-Tribune in me in this spot." August that "there are no tricks here," Katie Mohammed stressing that the "fill that comes in isn't contaminated." Cloke put their energy and their also said that inspectors financial resources in are free to "walk into our defending a lawsuit and office, go through our files detracts their interest at will, whenever he/she away from speaking about feels like doing it." something of a matter of Neither Cloke nor his public interest," Callaway lawyer responded to an said. email asking to comment In response, Mohamon the lawsuit. med has scheduled a Mohammed is waiting motion to dismiss the for the motion, scheduled action and claim damfor Feb. 27 or 28, 2017. ages for emotional disteacher, I never thought that speaking out would land me in this spot." Mohammed's lawyer, Sabrina Callaway, considers this a so-called strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP). "This (lawsuit) targets people to force them to 88 From page 1 Sept. 6, 2016. Mohammed, fearful of facing litigation, posted her retraction and apologies in the Facebook groups on Sept. 8, 2016, and additionally sent personal messages to members retracting her statements. The next day, Mohammed received a statement of claim from United Soils' lawyer, suing her for defamation for damages of $100,000 for libel, aggravated damages of $10,000 and punitive damages of $10,000, totalling $120,000. She never thought her Facebook comments could cost her $120,000. "I was terrified," Mohammed said. "I've never had any trouble with the law before. The worry of having to fight expensive litigation, being a young family, the potential of breaking our family was very worrying." "Being a mom and a Martial arts teaches: Confidence, Self Control, Self Discipline, Respect & how to "Stick-To-It"! CALL NOW! 905-591- 4STK (4785) Plus FREE uniform! 30 Innovator Dr., Unit 10 · info@s-t-k.ca · www.s-t-k.ca Now Open · Evenings and Weekends! Sleep, General Dentistry, Special Needs & Invisalign Welcoming a new associate Dr. Vina Family Helping Family Orthodontics Special $ 3,800 Expires January 31, 2017 175 Mostar Street, Unit 105 · Stouffville · www.SmileWork.ca TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT CALL 905.640.1010 New Patients Welcome elcome Emergencies Seen Promptly Insurance Processing eason's S reetings G Thank you for a wonderful season & see you in the Spring of 2017! "End of the laneway fresh" uReport When you see news happening let us know... newsroom@yrmg.com www.facebook/yrmgnews @yorkregion from our family to yours! ours! Ring in 2017 at the Lion Pub and RestauRant. yorkregion.com 5538 Bloomington Rd. Stouffville, ON L4A 7X3 Just minutes from Downtown Stouffville 5917 MAIN ST., WHITCHURCH - STOUFFVILLE 905-642-1344 www.thelion.ca Cooked to order with your choices from the buffet, including crab, lobster and shrimp. $25 seafood PLate Karaoke and Dancing with host Christina, Free Admission, 70s Theme Night.