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Tristin Hopper<\/strong> In a ruling that could carry implications for comedy clubs across Canada, the Supreme Court of British Columbia has upheld the right of a bar patron to receive five-figures in damages from a comedian whose performance she alleges gave her post-traumatic stress disorder.<\/p>\n In 2011, Toronto comedian Guy Earle was ordered by the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to pay $15,000 to Lorna Pardy, a homosexual woman who said she suffered \u201clasting physical and psychological effect\u201d after Mr. Earle directed a string of lesbian slurs at her during a 2007 Vancouver open mic night.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, B.C. highest court ruled against Mr. Earle\u2019s assertion that comedy clubs should remain special places devoted to the \u201cfearless pursuit of free speech\u201d and that the Tribunal\u2019s decision would have a \u201cchilling effect on performances and artists in British Columbia.\u201d<\/p>\n
National Post<\/a>
June 24, 2013<\/p>\n