TORONTO - Ontario's Progressive Conservatives have served notice they intend to "vigorously defend themselves" against a $2 million libel suit filed by Premier Kathleen Wynne.
The suit stems from Opposition Leader Tim Hudak's comments suggesting that Wynne "oversaw and possibly ordered the criminal destruction of documents" related to the $1.1-billion cancellation of two gas plants.
Lawyers for the Tories filed a notice of intent to defend in the libel suit on Thursday, saying the Conservatives don't believe any of their comments "constitute actionable defamation" of Wynne.
The Tories also say all of their statements about Wynne "are clearly within the recognized privileges protecting freedom of speech" especially when it comes to "a vital public debate" on key issues.
Wynne claimed in an open letter March 30 that Hudak knew his allegations were false and unsupported by evidence and demanded he apologize and retract the comments.
The Tory notice of intent to defend says Wynne's "deliberate release" of her open letter attracted and intensified media coverage of the very statements about which she is complaining in her libel suit.
