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A lawyer for Mayor Naheed Nenshi will urge Monday that a jury hear the defamation case that home builder Cal Wenzel brought against Nenshi for comments in the 2013 mayoral campaign.

Wenzel filed a lawsuit after Nenshi made on-air remarks suggesting the Shane Homes founder had broken campaign finance laws, and that his campaign activities were like something out of the Godfather crime drama movies. Nenshi has vowed to defend himself by arguing his comments were fair and justified.

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The case has been quietly proceeding since Wenzel filed it in November 2013, including at least one pre-trial questioning of Nenshi. According to the court clerk’s office, Nenshi’s lawyer has filed an application for a jury trial, which will be heard Monday.

Wenzel is seeking $6 million in damages. Canada’s highest-ever defamation award was $3 million, granted after a trial by jury. Most defamation cases are heard by a judge.

jmarkusoff@calgaryherald.com