Edmonton publisher sued by city for misleading public about firefighters' magazine

The Edmonton fire department and the local Crime Stoppers organizations have sued a local firefighters' magazine for misleading the public. According to a story in the Edmonton Sun, the suit is actually from the City of Edmonton, which has filed a statement of claim that Edmonton Firefighters Newsmagazine is being passed off by its publisher, Cedar Publishing Corporation, as being an organ of Edmonton Fire Rescue. This leads advertisers, potential advertisers and member of the public to believe the magazine is authorized, said the statement.

According to the company’s website, the magazine informs “citizens of local firefighters news and information relating to fire issues.”

The city wants the court to order Cedar to stop publishing the magazine and pay for the department’s “loss of reputation and goodwill.”

Statements of claim contain unproven allegations and Cedar has yet to file a statement of defence.

This is not the first time that Cedar Publishing and its owner, Mohamad Najmeddine has clashed with the authorities. In June 2008, the Crime Stoppers Organization filed a claim against the company for using their logo, making it hard for the independent organization to raise money. Apparently Cedar and Crimestoppers had agreed in 2004 to publish a magazine in partnership, but the arrangement was terminated in February 2007.

Crime Stoppers is asking for $500,00 for loss of donations and goodwill and $250,000 in punitive damages. Najmeddine, in his statement of defence, argues that Crime Stoppers reneged on its contract and appropriated his clients by starting their own magazine called "Crime Stoppers and you...Making a difference."

Cedar Publishing's website says it publishes Neighbourhood Watch Newsmagazine, Alberta Paramedics Newsmagazine, Food Bank Network Newsmagazine, Safe Parent Association Newsmagazine, Alberta Arab Directory and Alberta Seniors Directory.

Najmeddine is a member of the board of the Canadian Arab Friendship Asssocation.  He is also chief financial officer for the Edmonton-Decore Progressive Conservative constituency association.