On June 4, 2013, the Ontario government will introduce legislation to better protect freedom of speech with an anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) bill. David Donnelly has been advocating for this legislation since 2007. In 2008, he was named NOW Magazine's Best Green Activist for his work on smart growth and anti-SLAPP advocacy. Commenting on the concern from developers that anti-SLAPP legislation could restrict developers' claims against libellous claims, David says “In Southern Ontario, to say that developers need protection from environmentalists is to say that David should have been deprived of his slingshot against Goliath.” (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-cracks-down-on-spurious-lawsuits/article12327218/)
As counsel to Environmental Defence, David has worked towards anti-SLAPP legislation with other NGOs in Ontario. For more information on SLAPP suits, visit Environmental Defence's website.