Manitoba Court: Animal Justice Seeks to Dismiss Horse Exporter Defamation Suit Under Anti-SLAPP Law

• Animal Justice has filed a motion to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by Carolyle Farms Ltd. under Manitoba's anti-SLAPP law.
• The lawsuit stems from comments made about a shipment of horses from Manitoba to Japan, which was filmed during a private prosecution for violating federal animal transport regulations. Carolyle Farms was acquitted in that prosecution, but Animal Justice has appealed the decision.
• Manitoba enacted the Public Interest Expression Defence Act in 2025, allowing courts to dismiss SLAPPs early and protecting public interest expression from baseless lawsuits.
• The case raises questions about horse export regulations and animal welfare standards in Canada.

Animal Justice argues that government records provided the basis for Labchuk's statement, and that the video was part of a private prosecution that alleged Carolyle Farms failed to have a contingency plan in place.

Animal Justice has filed a motion in Manitoba court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by Carolyle Farms Ltd. and its owner, Lyle Lumax. The lawsuit stems from comments made by Animal Justice's executive director, Camille Labchuk, in a video shared on social media about a shipment of horses from Manitoba to Japan. In the video, Labchuk stated that at least three horses collapsed during the December 2022 shipment, which was filmed during a private prosecution brought against Carolyle Farms for allegedly violating federal animal transport regulations. Carolyle Farms was acquitted in March 2026, but Animal Justice has since appealed that decision, with the appeal set to be heard later this year.

The motion argues that the defamation claim has no reasonable prospect of success and concerns expression on a matter of significant public interest. Animal Justice claims that government records provided the basis for Labchuk's statement, and that the video was part of a private prosecution that alleged Carolyle Farms failed to have a contingency plan in place, as required by federal regulations.

The shipment in question lasted over 33 hours, exceeding the 28-hour legal limit for transporting horses without food, water, or rest. A snowstorm forced the flight to reroute from Anchorage to Seattle.

Manitoba enacted the Public Interest Expression Defence Act in 2025, which allows courts to dismiss Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) early. Ontario and British Columbia have also enacted similar anti-SLAPP legislation. The act is designed to protect public interest expression from baseless lawsuits that can chill free speech.

The motion filed by Animal Justice relies on this new legislation, arguing that the defamation claim has no merit and should be dismissed under the Public Interest Expression Defence Act. This development highlights the potential application of Manitoba's anti-SLAPP law in similar cases, and may have implications for lawyers advising clients on defamation claims.

The case also raises questions about the regulation of horse exports from Canada, particularly with regards to animal welfare standards. The federal government has regulations in place to prevent suffering during long-distance transport, but it appears that these regulations were not followed in this instance.

The outcome of this case will have significant implications for public interest expression and the regulation of horse exports from Canada. If Animal Justice is successful in having the defamation lawsuit dismissed, it could set a precedent for other cases involving allegations of SLAPPs. This would be an important development for advocates of free speech and transparency.

Furthermore, the case highlights the need for stricter regulations on animal transport and welfare standards in Canada. The fact that horses were left without food, water, or rest for over 33 hours raises serious concerns about the treatment of animals during long-distance transport. This is an issue that warrants attention from lawmakers and regulators.

Lawyers should watch for the potential application of Manitoba's anti-SLAPP law in similar cases, and consider advising clients on the implications of this new legislation on their defamation claims.

Source: Original reporting via Animal Justice