June 8, 2009
MacDonnell v. The Halifax Herald Ltd. and Stephen Maher

Press Secretary Jasmine MacDonnell couldn’t persuade a Nova Scotia Judge to prevent a Herald reporter from publishing the contents of an accidental recording of MacDonnell and Minister Lisa Raitt dissing colleagues. On an injunction application, asserted claims of breach of privacy, conversion and bailment didn’t get past the first hurdle of a “serious issue” to be tried. Even if it did, the Judge would have found the balance of convenience weighed heavily in favour of freedom of the press.