Based on the above, I don’t see this going anywhere if this was file in the US. The man is certainly a public figure.
Seems like it shouldn't go anywhere but the garbage in Canada, either, but who knows? I wish I knew more about Canadian law.
"..Under the current legal regime, you can be sued for anything you say about another person that damages their reputation. If sued, the onus is on you to prove the truth of your statements; the fact that you genuinely believed them to be true is not good enough. Even truth is not an absolute defence --- if the court finds you told the truth but your intent was malicious, you might lose anyway. Canadian libel law is so draconian that people come from all over the world to file libel suits in Ontario.
The impact on freedom of expression, a core value of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is severe. There's even a term for it: "libel chill". Libel chill means that people are afraid to criticize powerful people who might bankrupt them with a costly suit. It means that commentators have to think twice before needling public figures --- as cartoonist Josh Beutel learned when he was sued by controversial New Brunswick school teacher Malcolm Ross. Ever wonder why there's so little investigative journalism in Canada? The reason is simple: libel chill....[snip]"
If the above article above is a fair commentary on Canadian libel law, Canada is Shyster heaven! Are there no distinctions between public and private citizens? Where is any allowance for opinion? This law is medieval!