Expertise
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Practice Areas:
- Bar Admissions:
- Education:
- University of Toronto (2023) JD
- University of Guelph (2020) BA (Criminal Justice & Public Policy)
Details
- Bio
- Cases
- Associations
- Blog Posts
- News & Media
- Publications & Presentations
Mackenzie Faulkner (he/him)
is an associate at Lenczner Slaght.
Mackenzie is developing a broad litigation practice, with a particular focus on commercial litigation, defamation and media law, employment law, and professional liability.
Mackenzie has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, along with various arbitral panels and administrative tribunals. He represents corporations, regulated professionals, and other individuals across the public and private sectors.
Mackenzie graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, where he received a number of academic awards, including the Edward J. Kowal ’65 Prize for achieving the highest standing in commercial law courses. He was also awarded the Stephanie Fleur Couzin Medal for Mooting for his extensive involvement in the school’s mooting program, including winning two national moots (2022 Hicks Morley Labour Moot and 2023 Gale Cup Moot) and participating in the Faculty’s annual Grand Moot in 2021.
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Hockey Canada Disciplinary Proceedings
Counsel to professional hockey player Carter Hart in defending a confidential Hockey Canada disciplinary proceeding and subsequent private appeal relating to an alleged breach of Hockey Canada's Code of Conduct. Appeared before both the disciplinary panel and the appeal panel.
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Co-counsel to the Plaintiff in a defamation action against a well-known Canadian podcast network. Successfully resisted an anti-SLAPP motion and awarded substantial indemnity costs. The action was subsequently resolved in exchange for, among other things, substantial damages and an apology to the Plaintiff in open court. The settlement was approved by the Court in June 2026.
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Bird Construction v University Health Network
Counsel to Bird Construction in bringing a construction lien action seeking damages of more than $100 million, arising from the design and construction of a green energy heating system.
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Abid Chaudry v Bank of Montreal
Counsel to the Bank of Montreal in relation to a wrongful dismissal claim made by a senior managerial employee. Successfully resisted several motions and subsequent appeals brought by the Plaintiff, including a motion to amend his Statement of Claim and a motion to compel answers to refusals.
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VIA Rail Canada Inc v Canadian National Railway Company and Attorney General of Canada
Counsel to Canadian National Railway Company responding to a judicial review brought by VIA Rail Canada Inc. in the Federal Court of Canada. Successfully brought a motion to strike the judicial review without leave to amend on the basis that CN is not a judicially reviewable decision-maker and the Federal Court did not have jurisdiction over the dispute.
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VIA Rail Canada Inc v Canadian National Railway Company
Counsel to Canadian National Railway Company in an application brought by VIA before the Canada Transportation Agency to impose a new contract on CN.
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Paterson v Royal Bank of Canada
Counsel to the defendants in a $275 million defamation and conspiracy claim. Successfully brought a motion to strike the claim on the basis that it was an abuse of process and barred by the Ontario Limitations Act, and later successfully resisted an appeal of that decision. Reported at 2025 ONSC 1122 and 2026 ONCA 480, respectively.
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The Advocates’ Society
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Ontario Bar Association
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A Crack in Crookes? New Defamation Risks for Search Engines
In AB v Google, the Court of Appeal of Québec held that internet intermediaries, such as search engines, may be liable for listing hyperlinks to undisputedly false and defamatory content. This decision represents a significant development in Canadian defamation law, particularly given the Court’s interpretation and application of the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling in Crookes v Newton.
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Lenczner Slaght Welcomes 10 New Associates
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to strengthen its talent pool with the addition of 10 exceptional associates.
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Lenczner Slaght Welcomes Summer Student Class of 2022
Canada’s leading litigation firm continues to attract top talent with the addition of 12 exceptional students.
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University of New Brunswick Moot Tune Up
Hosted by the University of New Brunswick, Madeleine Andrew-Gee and Mackenzie Faulkner led a moot demonstration and shared tips for success on delivering persuasive opening statements, responding effectively to bench questions, and managing challenging opponents with confidence.
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University of Toronto Moot Tune Up
Hosted by the University of Toronto’s Litigation Association, Madeleine Andrew-Gee and Mackenzie Faulkner led a moot demonstration and shared tips for success on delivering persuasive opening statements, responding effectively to bench questions, and managing challenging opponents with confidence.
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2024 Snapshot: Through the Lens of Lenczner Slaght
Lenczner Slaght launches our 2024 Snapshot, which highlights the most significant developments, decisions, and trends in litigation from the past year across 20 areas of expertise. Reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025 through the lens of our expert litigators.