Locals Watching Robinson Trial

By Rob Gowan
Sun Times, Owen Sound
June 17, 2015

http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2015/06/17/locals-watching-robinson-trial

A high-profile trial that started in British Columbia earlier this week is of particular interest to some in Grey-Bruce.

The civil trial for journalist Laura Robinson, who lives in Southampton, began at B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on Monday and is scheduled to run for 10 days. The defamation case — in which Robinson is alleging that former Vancouver Olympics CEO John Furlong's comments about a 2012 newspaper article she wrote damaged her reputation, career and health — has garnered national media attention.

"Certainly she is very well supported here," said Maryann Thomas, who is owner of the Ginger Press Bookstore in Owen Sound and has known Robinson for decades. "Her work is very important work and there is a lot of local support for the work she has done in the past and is doing."

Thomas said she has known Robinson for about 30 years and considers her both a friend and a professional acquaintance. Robinson, who once cycled and rowed at the national level and also competed in cross-country skiing, has been active locally with cross-country skiing and cycling groups, including teaching young athletes at Cape Croker.