VANCOUVER - A B.C. Liberal candidate in the federal election says he's suing his Tory rival for libel over allegations of a smear campaign.

Dan Veniez, who's running against Conservative John Weston in the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea To Sky riding, says he's been the target of false claims about his involvement in efforts to rescue the failed Skeena Cellulose pulp mill in Prince Rupert.

Veniez says Weston supporters handed out material containing the claims at an all-candidates' meeting, and an anonymous YouTube video repeated the allegations.

He says the claims are plainly contradicted by the facts but Weston is capitalizing on the misinformation while claiming to have nothing to do with it.

Veniez says Weston's behaviour is a disgrace and an insult to voters, and says he's filed a defamation suit in B.C. Supreme Court.

Last week, Veniez filed a complaint with Elections Canada over the conduct of the Weston campaign.