Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, prominent figures in the “Freedom Convoy” movement, are set to receive their sentencing today, marking the end of a legal saga that began almost four years ago with the high-profile protest that effectively shut down downtown Ottawa.
Back in April, both Lich and Barber were convicted of mischief, with Barber facing an additional charge of inciting others to engage in mischief. As the sentencing approaches, the Crown has requested a seven-year prison term for Lich and an eight-year sentence for Barber.
During the recent sentencing hearing in July, Crown prosecutor Siobhain Wetscher emphasized the significant impact the convoy protest had on the local community, underscoring the need for stringent penalties.
On the other side, defense lawyers for Lich and Barber are pushing for complete discharges without any criminal records, citing the extensive restrictions their clients have faced over the past three and a half years.
The duo played pivotal roles in organizing the protest that attracted a massive gathering of supporters and vehicles to Ottawa in early 2022, demanding the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions. The demonstration prompted the unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act by the federal government on February 14, followed by a multi-day police operation to restore order in the city center.
