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By Nigel Maxwell

Public accountability

Sask. Government plans to modernize defamation law

Nov 6, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Saskatchewan’s outdated laws around defamation are being updated and simplified.

The provincial government’s Defamation Act, 2025, replaces the century-old Libel and Slander Act, which has been in place since 1909. Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod told paNOW the changes were necessary to reflect today’s changing media landscape.

“It was created back in a time when only printed source of information was widely available and so we’ve extended our media platforms quite a lot since that time, we use multiple forms of media, not just newspaper, so that was one of the critical pieces that needed modernization,” he explained

Following an extensive consultation in March 2024, the Law Reform Commission of Saskatchewan released its final report calling for the reform and modernization of The Libel and Slander Act.

As a result of their 19 recommendations, The Defamation Act eliminates the outdated distinction between libel and slander and refers instead to ‘defamation,’ which encompasses both written and spoken statements that harm an individual’s reputation.

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“Defamation is simply the term that will be used, whether it’s written or spoken makes no difference now,” McLeod said, adding all references to newspapers will be removed in favour of more neutral and broader media terms.”

This legislation also authorizes the courts to make take-down and de-indexing orders against third parties when harmful online content continues to circulate after initial publication; and establishes a single cause of action for a publication and any later re-publications of the same material by the same publisher.

When asked about potential penalties, McLeod stated that will ultimately be up to the court’s discretion, which will essentially rule on whether defamation has occurred.

“But we’re seeing more and more variety of media sources used to spread untrue information. We want to make sure we’re protecting Saskatchewan citizens from false information and from defaming comments that might be floating around on whatever media platform people choose to use.”

With respect to a timeline, the act has been introduced to the legislative assembly and on Wednesday received second reading. The legislation will go into the debate process for the next several weeks. and then ultimately to committee for further debate and review before coming back to the floor for third reading in Royal Ascent

“We’re certainly hopeful that it’ll pass as soon as possible,” McLeod said, acknowledging the NDP will have an opportunity to criticize it.

“The Defamation Act, 2025 represents a significant step forward in modernizing Saskatchewan’s legal framework,” Law Reform Commission Chair Michael Milani, K.C. said. “The Commission’s recommendations were guided by the need to protect the reputational rights of individuals, provide clarity and fairness, and ensure that our laws reflect the realities of today’s communication environment.”

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell