Kelowna antivaxer sues reporters, publishers claiming defamation | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna antivaxer sues reporters, publishers claiming defamation

Kelowna protestor Bruce Orydzuk was seen yelling at Paladin Security guard Anmol Singh outside a Kelowna vaccination clinic, July 13, 2021. Singh received national praise for his calm manner in handling the protest.

A Kelowna man filmed unleashing a racist tirade against a Sikh security guard two years ago filed a lawsuit against multiple reporters and publishers this week — including this one — claiming he was defamed.

Bruce Orydzuk said the initial story published by iNFOnews.ca and other stories published by Kelowna news outlets were defamatory and caused him "grievous harm," according to court documents.

Former iNFOnews.ca reporter Carli Berry, who was at the scene and filmed the incident on July 13, 2021, is the first defendant listed in his notice of claim.

READ MORE: iN VIDEO: Protestor unleashes racist tirade at Kelowna vaccination clinic security guard

He also named iNFOnews.ca, Corus Entertainment Inc., Global News, Glacier Media Group, Castanet, Black Press Media and Kelowna Capital News, along with reporters from each of the publications.

Lastly, he named Kelowna resident David Crawford because of comments he made about Orydzuk on social media.

Orydzuk is criminally charged with causing a disturbance on the day of the incident outside a COVID-19 vaccine clinic. He's due back in court later this month after a trial in Kelowna.

He said he was in a "discussion" with Berry outside the clinic at Trinity Church when security guard Anmol Singh interrupted, according to court documents.

READ MORE: Two anti-vaxxers charged for disturbances in Kelowna

“This is not a vaccine, this is an experimental toxin, it’s gene therapy,” he said while protesting outside the clinic.

He turned his frustrations toward the security guard when Singh asked him to leave the property.

“Go back to your country, you’re not a Canadian, beat it, you’re disgusting. You don’t know Canadian laws," he said. “Go back to India, we don’t want you here."

Orydzuk claimed the news coverage that followed included defamatory statements and reporters failed to contact him to clarify what he meant when speaking with Singh.

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He also claimed the news coverage led to "online attacks and threats" against him, going on to say Berry's coverage was "motivated by malice."

Orydzuk, who is representing himself in court, is seeking a $600,000 award for "defamatory allegations."

He also wants each of the publications named to retract stories about him and to each publish a public apology that should remain on each website's home page for one week, according to court documents.

"The comments and allegations by the defendants, individually and/or collectively, are so oppressive and defamatory, especially in today's day and age, that punitive damages need be awarded," he claimed in court documents.

None of the defendants, included iNFOnews.ca, have responded in court.

Orydzuk did not respond when asked for comment. Berry had not yet been served and said she could not comment without having seen the claim against her.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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