<P> Another common tactic in political libel cases is the filing of a strategic lawsuit against public participation ("SLAPP"). Analyses of SLAPP tactics and suggested reforms to civil procedures and legislation have been released by the Ontario Attorney - General, the Uniform Law Conference of Canada, individual academics and the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association . </P> <P> An approach increasingly common in Canadian courts is to contest jurisdiction or publication, as the courts have consistently required affidavits of proof of publication within the province where the libel is alleged . In Éditions Écosociété Inc. v. Banro Corp., interveners made extensive argument against assuming jurisdiction even when there were very clearly copies distributed and read, on the grounds that this imposed too much of a defense burden . </P> <P> Also commonly employed are extra-legal approaches including the so - called "scorched earth" defense wherein, by way of justification, every embarrassing fact in the plaintiff's entire history is publicly exposed, along with those of personal friends and associates, in an attempt to counter libel chill with a similar fear of being totally exposed . Such tactics can backfire seriously however if a powerful defendant such as a mass media organization is perceived as abusing its access to the public, sometimes resulting in large awards . Such tactics are also sometimes employed in other kinds of suits . </P> <P> While few defamation cases go to trial, because of the deterrence value of threatened litigation, there can be negative consequences arising from the trial itself . Canadian defamation law permits broad latitude in argument and exempts, with absolute privilege, comment made by way of argument, even if the arguments or positions advanced are noxious, intimidating or astonishing, or amusing enough to be quoted widely in the press (true or not). Some noted Canadian lawyers have advised that every possible alternative to litigation should be employed by a client genuinely fearful of reputation loss, before filing suit, simply because the "scorched earth" tactic has become so common . If defendants have a reason to resist, such as preserving freedom of political speech, the likelihood of negative publicity is magnified . The infamous McLibel case is often cited as a warning against spending vast sums and ending up with bad publicity and an uncollectible judgment . </P>

What is the punishment for slander in canada