Northwestel sues Whitehorse's Orange Technology for libel
Northwestel says Orange owner made false, defamatory statements in CBC Radio interview
Northwestel is suing a Whitehorse business, accusing its owner of making libellous comments about Northwestel services in Yukon.
The telecommunications company filed a statement of claim in Yukon Supreme Court alleging that Martin Lehner of Whitehorse-based Orange Technology defamed Northwestel in a November interview on CBC Radio in Yukon.
Lehner was being interviewed about internet service in the Whitehorse area, and described complaints he's heard from Northwestel customers about frequent outages. Lehner also said those customers had been told by Northwestel there were no plans to fix the problems.
In its statement of claim, Northwestel says parts of Lehner's comments on CBC "were untrue, were reckless with respect to its truth and had an improper motive in making the statement."
The statement also says Lehner's comments damage Northwestel's business and reputation, and expose it to possible sanctions from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
Northwestel is demanding damages for loss of profits, and a public apology from Orange Technologies. The amount of damages being demanded is unspecified.