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In January this year, a few weeks after the letter to BuzzFeed, the four women sent the allegations to Coach House by an anonymous email, Dodds claims then, “addressed their allegations to the media and actively sought out publicity.” The source of these news tips came to be known as the CanLit Janitors Collective.

BuzzFeed reported on Dodds’ dismissal and the closing of the Coach House Books poetry program on January 24, but did not detail the specific allegations. The Globe reported on the allegations online that same day and in print the next, quoting at length from the anonymous letter. The Star followed much later in March after speaking to Dodds, who had posted a public statement. It also quoted details from the letter.

The Globe and Mail’s defence says Dodds has failed to make out a case for defamation, conspiracy or negligent investigation, and that he failed to serve a libel notice within six weeks after he learned of the article, which should bar his action. The Globe relies on the legal defences of fair comment and responsible communication on matters of public interest. It denies intending to cause Dodds any harm, and says he has not alleged any actual loss.

It portrays the world in a cartoon fashion

The Star has indicated to the court it will defend, but has not yet filed a written defence. Its editor, Irene Gentle, did not immediately respond to an invitation to comment further.

A separate lawsuit making similar claims against BuzzFeed News is to be filed shortly, Watson said. It was delayed for procedural reasons, as BuzzFeed Canada is not incorporated in Ontario, he said. (It is incorporated in New Brunswick, and its head office is in New York.) BuzzFeed News media editor Craig Silverman declined to comment on a potential suit.