Former Surrey councillor Jack Hundial has settled a defamation claim against him brought by developer Bob Cheema, agreeing to pay “a substantial sum by way of damages,” according to a letter signed Nov. 18 by Hundial to Cheema.
The claim originated from a motion tabled by Hundial at a Sep. 16, 2019 council meeting, in which Hundial asked for more information about an alleged meeting Cheema had on Nov. 2, 2018, with then mayor-elect McCallum and B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth.
Cheema claimed, via lawyer Douglas Eyford of Eyford Partners LLP, that the motion by Hundial was false and defamatory and that it implied Cheema discussed city business and “surreptitiously wields influence and power over” McCallum.
Furthermore, Hundial’s motion also implied Cheema was “unethical, dishonest and of disreputable character” and that he “is improperly benefiting from his relationship with the mayor and the City of Surrey.”
Over five years later, Hundial has stated in his letter to Cheema that he “made several statements about Cheema that were false” and “a grave slur on his personal and professional integrity,” causing him and his family “distress and embarrassment.”
According to the letter, provided by Cheema to Glacier Media by email, Hundial went on to say: “I unreservedly apologize to Mr. Cheema and I fully withdraw and retract, without reservation, the prior statements I published about him. I have also agreed to pay Mr. Cheema a substantial sum by way of damages and in settlement of his legal costs.”
As for his own legal costs, the City of Surrey has covered them, city spokesperson Amy Jugpal confirmed on Nov. 20.
“The City has been paying Mr. Hundial’s legal fees in relation to this matter. The City is not able to provide any details concerning the legal fees paid. That is privileged information, and it is up to Mr. Hundial to decide whether he wishes to disclose that information,” stated the city’s legal services department in a prepared statement, via email.
When asked if the damages are also being covered as part of those fees, the department replied via Jugpal: "The City of Surrey has not been made aware of any court ordered damages. No decision has been made with regard to indemnification for damages."
Hundial once expressed opposition to McCallum’s own legal bills being paid for by the city, after McCallum was charged with mischief on Dec. 10, 2021.
“To the majority of the taxpayers, it’s outrageous,” Hundial told Surrey Now-Leader Dec. 14, 2021, adding that it’s the “worst example” of a politician misusing public funds.
Hundial was elected in October 2018 on McCallum’s slate but soon left over what he claimed to be a lack of transparency from McCallum on the police force transition project.
Hundial did not seek re-election in 2022 and moved to the Okanagan.
However, until recently, Hundial was seeking the Conservative Party of Canada nomination in Fleetwood-Port Kells.
His nomination website and Facebook page are now removed.
Hundial did not immediately respond to Glacier Media for comment.
