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CUPE BC has filed a libel lawsuit against Kirk LaPointe and the Non-Partisan Association.

A news release issued by the union today (November 26) states that president Mark Hancock and secretary-treasurer Paul Faoro met with the CUPE BC executive board and "decided the union had no choice but to pursue legal action".

"The publications repeatedly accuse CUPE of criminal misconduct, and as well libels them in their profession and occupation," the CUPE BC news release alleges.

LaPointe and the NPA have not filed a statement of defence and none of the allegations have been proven in court.

The union is seeking an injunction, in addition to general and punitive damages.

A notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court by CUPE BC, Hancock, Faoro, CUPE Local 1004, and 1004 member Frank Lee Monday (November 25) alleges the defendants defamed the plaintiffs in statements to the Province newspaper, on the NPA website, at an October 28 news conference, and in TV, radio, and print ads.

The statements related to comments from Vision Vancouver councillor Geoff Meggs at a CUPE Local 1004 meeting, where he said mayor Gregor Robertson has recommitted to not contracting out any more city jobs. CUPE Local 1004 members approved a $34,000 donation to Vision. CUPE BC donated a total of $152,000 to the Vision campaign, while CUPE Local 15 gave $40,000.

The plaintiffs argue that as a former journalist and as a professor of ethics, LaPointe "had an obligation to inquire into, and to research the truth or falsity of these statements before adopting, publishing, and re-publishing them".

Robertson and Meggs also launched legal action against the NPA over party ads that aired over radio and TV.