One of B.C.’s largest traffic control service companies, Valley Traffic Systems (VTS) has to pay $1.5 million after its defamation campaign caused a competitor to lose out on a lucrative BC Hydro contract.

VTS and Richmond-based Ansan Group were competitors a decade ago for commercial dealings including a multi-year traffic control contract with BC Hydro and a contract involving Telus.

In mid-2012, Ansan Group employees found a series of defamatory publications posted online and on Telus’ ethics complaint webpage about the company and its owner Raoul Malak. The publications were also sent to then-Premier Christy Clark and the minister responsible for BC Hydro, Rich Coleman.

VTS won the BC Hydro contract in 2013 and Ansan Group and its owner took VTS to court for defamation.

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