1980 BILL Second Session, 19th Legislature, 29 Elizabeth II THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA BILL THE DEFAMATION AMENDMENT ACT, 1980 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL First Reading Second Reading Committee of the Whole Third Reading Royal Assent Printed by the Queen ’s Printer for the Province of Alberta, EDMONTON Title: 1980 (19th, 2nd) Bill 54, The Defamation Amendment Act, 1980 Bill BILL THE DEFAMATION AMENDMENT ACT, 1980 (Assented to , 1980) HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows: 1 The Defamation Act is amended by this Act. 2 The following is added after

section 9: 9.1(1) If a defendant published an opinion expressed by another person, other than an employee or agent of the defendant, that is alleged to be defamatory, a defence of fair comment shall not fail by reason only that the defendant did not hold that opinion.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the defence of fair comment is not available to a defendant if it is proved that he acted maliciously in making the publication. 3 This Act comes into force on the day upon which it is assented to. 1 Explanatory Notes This Bill will amend

chapter of the Revised Statutes of Alberta 1970. 2 Permits the use of the defence of fair comment in certain circumstances. 1 Title: 1980 (19th, 2nd) Bill 54, The Defamation Amendment Act, 1980