Zoe wrote:
But you haven't addressed my objection to your
claim that it's criminal.
Zoe
I took your comment as rhetorical, and failed to realize that you
expected an answer.
The following are extracted from the Criminal Code of Canada
Defamatory Libel
Definition <http://laws.justice.gc.ca/fr/C-46/17288.html#article-298>
298. (1) A defamatory libel is matter published, without lawful
justification or excuse, that is likely to injure the reputation of
any person by exposing him to hatred, contempt or ridicule, or that is
designed to insult the person of or concerning whom it is published.
Mode of expression
(2) A defamatory libel may be expressed directly or by insinuation or
irony
(a) in words legibly marked on any substance; or
(b) by any object signifying a defamatory libel otherwise than by words.
R.S., c. C-34, s. 262.
Publishing <http://laws.justice.gc.ca/fr/C-46/17288.html#article-299>
299. A person publishes a libel when he
(a) exhibits it in public;
(b) causes it to be read or seen; or
(c) shows or delivers it, or causes it to be shown or delivered, with
intent that it should be read or seen by the person whom it defames or
by any other person.
R.S., c. C-34, s. 263.
Punishment of libel known to be false
<http://laws.justice.gc.ca/fr/C-46/17288.html#article-300>
300. Every one who publishes a defamatory libel that he knows is false
is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding five years.
R.S., c. C-34, s. 264.
Punishment for defamatory libel
<http://laws.justice.gc.ca/fr/C-46/17288.html#article-301>
301. Every one who publishes a defamatory libel is guilty of an
indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
two years.