https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_lawsuit_against_public_participation

"The typical SLAPP plaintiff does not normally expect to win the lawsuit."

Weaver won his defamation suit against the National Post. Both Weaver and Mann expect to win their defamation actions against Tim Ball. It is not Libel or Slander if if is true, but that defence is not available for for Ball, and it is not a SLAPP if it is a valid defamation suit.