The case of Malak v Hanna, dated August 2, 2023, was a defamation case involving the plaintiff companies, known as the Ansan Group, who had competed with the defendant, Valley Traffic Systems Inc. (VTS), for a contract with BC Hydro for traffic control services. The Ansan Group was controlled by Raoul Malak, while VTS was owned by Philip Jackman and Trevor Paine, with Remon Hanna having been previously associated with the Ansan Group and later working with VTS. During 2012 and early 2013, defamatory publications were discovered, targeting Mr. Malak and the Ansan Group, suggesting criminal activities, money laundering, and bribery. The author of these publications was revealed to be Mr. Hanna. The defamatory materials were posted on various internet sites, Telus' ethics complaint line, and sent to prominent individuals, including then Premier Christy Clark and Rich Coleman. In the first trial, it was found that VTS and the defendants, Mr. Jackman, and Mr. Paine, were involved in a common design to harm Mr. Malak and the Ansan Group's reputation, and VTS was held directly and vicariously liable for defamation. The defendants appealed, and certain issues were remitted back for a new trial. The court awarded $500,000 in general damages and $200,000 in aggravated damages to Mr. Malak, $300,000 in general damages to the Ansan Group, and $500,000 in punitive damages to the plaintiffs. The parties had the option to submit their arguments regarding the costs associated with the case.