Kelowna Fruit Family Takes Legal Action After Blogger Faces Warrant: What You Need to Know

A Supreme Court Justice has issued an arrest warrant for Daryl Grant MacAskill, who runs the blog ‘Gangsterism Out.’ He faces accusations of defaming the Sandher family, owners of Sandher Fruit Packers Ltd. in Kelowna. This case began when the Sandher family filed a civil claim against MacAskill in August 2024, seeking to end what they describe as a “campaign of defamation and harassment” that started in March 2024.

The allegations against MacAskill are serious. The judge highlighted the use of crude, racist, and homophobic language in MacAskill’s posts. The Sandher family claims these statements are untrue and have harmed their reputation and business.

Despite a court order that prohibited MacAskill from publishing more defamatory content, he continued to post allegations about the family. His claims ranged from criticizing their environmental practices to unfounded suggestions of gang involvement. Justice Ward Branch found these criminality allegations to be “not credible.”

The situation escalated when the Sandher family sought to have MacAskill held in contempt of court for violating the injunction. Justice Gibb-Carsley concluded that MacAskill had indeed disobeyed the order, leading to the issuance of the arrest warrant.

In public responses, Prabtaj Sandher, president of Sandher Fruit Packers, expressed relief over the court’s actions. He lamented the distress caused by the false claims, especially regarding the reputation of his parents, who have dedicated their lives to the family business. Kelowna City Councillor Mohini Singh, also mentioned in the blog, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the broader impact of such harmful statements on community members.

As of now, MacAskill’s whereabouts are unknown. This case raises significant questions about free speech and the limits of online expression. According to a recent study, nearly 60% of Canadians think online harassment should face harsher legal consequences, reflecting changing attitudes toward digital behavior.

This incident serves as a reminder of the fine line between freedom of expression and the responsibility to avoid harming others. With courts now actively addressing online defamation, there could be a shift towards greater accountability for online actions.

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