What is the current state of the law in Ontario on defamation?

In striking a balance between the rights of private citizens to be protected against defamation and the constitutional guarantees of free speech and free press, this court in Chapadeau imposed a higher standard of culpability when defamatory statements involve matters of genuine public concern. While there are no mechanical rules for identifying such subjects, matters involving the business of government clearly come within this category "for the rule requiring proof of fault in defamation actions rests upon the premise that the public needs to know those things which enable government to operate successfully." (Cottom v. Meredith Corp., 65 A.D.2d 165, 170, 411 N.Y.S.2d 53 [Simons, J.].)