A developer has filed a $2 million libel suit against a Southern Ontario woman, saying she caused damage to its reputation after launching a website about allegedly dangerous environmental conditions and questionable building practices in her neighbourhood.

Louisette Lanteigne of Waterloo, Ont., launched her website in April, where she posted photos and stories documenting what she says were dangerous conditions in the subdivision where she lives.

"They call me an environmental activist, but I see myself as more of a mom who's just trying to be heard," the 36-year-old mother of three girls aged 21 months, nine and 12, told The Canadian Press.

"My kids were at risk and nobody helped me, and I'm worried about other kids too, that's the bottom line," she said. "Nobody protected me and now I'm getting sued."

Then-environment minister Leona Dombrowsky wrote her to say, "Your advocacy on behalf of your neighbourhood is commendable and I encourage you to contact the ministry...to report any further incidents."

Meanwhile, Environment Ministry spokesman John Steele told CP that Lanteigne's work was valuable because the ministry relies on reports from citizens to stop infractions.

But on Sept. 16, Lanteigne received news that she was being sued for libel by developer Activa Holdings Inc., one of the largest developers in the region.

The company is seeking $2 million and an order to have the allegedly libellous material taken offline, claiming the website has caused damage to its reputation.

"The website contains numerous untrue statements and defamatory statements about Activa," the company's lawyer Greg Murdoch told CP.

"Activa is in this unfortunate position where it has to proceed with this lawsuit."

In a letter posted on rabble.ca, Lanteigne says the suit from local developer Activa Holdings Inc. is "just a way of SLAPPing me."

SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.

"The plaintiff's goal in a SLAPP is not to win the lawsuit, but is rather to silence a critic by instilling fear of large legal costs and the spectre of large damage awards," she writes.