Former Chilliwack School Trustee Ordered to Pay $45,000 for Defamatory Remark

Former Chilliwack school trustee Barry Neufeld has been ordered to pay current board member Carin Bondar $45,000 for referring to her as a ‘striptease artist.’ Neufeld made the defamatory remark during an online interview with Action4Canada in September 2022.

Bondar defeated Richard Procee in a byelection amidst Neufeld’s campaign against the introduction of SOGI — sexual orientation and gender identity — inclusivity guidelines in B.C. schools. The matter came before the B.C. Supreme Court last week for a ruling.

In the ruling, Judge Michael Stephens found Neufeld’s statement to be defamatory and potentially damaging to Bondar’s reputation. Neufeld was ordered to pay Bondar $35,000 in general damages and an additional $10,000 in punitive damages.

The defamatory remark was made amid a contentious political climate where Neufeld was vocal about his opposition to the SOGI policies in schools. However, the ruling did not directly address the controversy surrounding SOGI.

Carin Bondar, a school trustee with degrees in biology and forestry, has been a vocal advocate for science education and inclusivity. She has faced attacks from opponents, including the sharing of a racy video she made that parodied Miley Cyrus‘s ‘Wrecking Ball.’

Neufeld’s remark specifically referred to Bondar as a ‘striptease artist’ in connection to the video. Despite winning the byelection, Bondar testified that the attacks she faced caused reputational harm and stress.

This is not the first legal battle Neufeld has been involved in regarding his stance on SOGI. He previously attempted to sue Glen Hansman, the former president of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation, over comments made about Neufeld’s position on SOGI. The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed that lawsuit last year.