TorontoIn a printed clarification, the National Post newspaper has apologized to Sid Ryan, the Ontario president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE Ontario) for publishing an editorial that linked him and his organization, CUPE Ontario, to criminal activity that allegedly occurred during a demonstration in Toronto on October 16 and to a war against democracy.
On Monday, October 29, Ryan held a media conference to announce that on October 25, a Notice of Libel had been served on the National Post for the editorial entitled Damages and Costs published by the newspaper on October 19.
At the media conference, Ryan announced that a Notice of Libel was also served on Mel Lastman in respect to recent statements made by the Mayor that also linked Ryan and CUPE Ontario to alleged criminal activity during the Toronto demonstration. The Notice of Libel on Mayor Lastman specifically focuses on comments made by the Mayor during a press conference held on October16 and an interview with Bill Carroll on CFRBs Newstalk Radio program on October 22.
Now that the National Post has put forth a clarification that includes an apology, Mayor Lastman should think about doing the same, says Ryan.
In explaining why he served the Notices of Libel, Ryan indicated that CUPE Ontario has a rich history of non-violent activism and that he personally deplores violence and he has been an international peace observer in Northern Ireland.
The following clarification was published on Page 2 of todays issue of the National Post.
Clarification
In an editorial that appeared in the National Post on Oct 19, 2001, the newspaper referred to criminal activity that allegedly occurred during a recent demonstration in Toronto’s financial district. The editorial did not intend to suggest that Mr. Ryan or CUPE were involved in criminal activity or a war against democracy.
The editorial did not intend to suggest that Mr Ryan attended the demonstration or that he or CUPE participated in or approved of criminal activity that may have occurred during the demonstration.
We apologize to Mr Ryan and CUPE for any confusion the article may have caused.”
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For more information please contact:
Sid Ryan, President CUPE Ontario
(416) 209-0066
Stella Yeadon, CUPE Communications
(416) 578-8774
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