REID ALL ABOUT IT – Mayor’s lawsuit against Neustaeter dismissed

An occasional glimpse into the mayoral life of Reid Hamer-Jackson, including what the media have to say.

The Big Media are reporting today (Jan. 30, 2026) that Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson’s lawsuit, filed in June 2023, against Coun. Katie Neustaeter alleging defamation has been dismissed in B.C. Supreme Court.

The decision by Justice Jacqueline Hughes was released today and found in favour of dismissing the mayor’s action under the Protection of Participation Act. The mayor’s action was filed after Neustaeter read out comments on behalf of councillors on March 17, 2023 in which she claimed Hamer-Jackson had “crossed personal boundaries.” The claim also cited statements made in three emails sent by Neustaeter.

Hughes ruled that the comments came within the bounds of qualified privilege. “I therefore find that there are grounds to believe that the Public Statement was made on an occasion of qualified privilege and did not stray beyond the scope of that privilege. Consequently, I find that the application of the defence of qualified privilege to the Public Statement tends to weigh more in the defendant’s favour,” she wrote.

Hughes said Neustaeter’s comments were not motivated by malice.

“I agree with the defendant that this case is fundamentally one about political speech. Her assertion that the plaintiff [Hamer-Jackson] is using this litigation to target her as a political adversary for speech that she made, which was critical of his conduct and governance in his role as mayor, is supported on the record before me,” the judge said of Neustaeter’s defence.

“Aside from the plaintiff’s bare assertions, there is no evidence of any causal link between the harms alleged and the defendant’s statements.”

Neustaeter’s legal fees are being paid for by the City, while Hamer-Jackson has borne his own costs himself. A hearing, within 30 days, will determine whether the mayor must pay Neusteater’s/ City’s costs as well.