Today, the sentencing of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, prominent figures in the “Freedom Convoy” protest movement that brought downtown Ottawa to a standstill nearly four years ago, is set to be decided. Both were convicted of mischief, with Barber facing an additional charge of counselling others to commit mischief.
The prosecution is pushing for severe sentences of seven years for Lich and eight years for Barber, citing the extensive harm caused to the Ottawa community by the protest. In contrast, the defense is advocating for absolute discharges, emphasizing the toll of three and a half years of strict bail conditions on the defendants.
Lich and Barber spearheaded a large-scale demonstration in early 2022 to oppose COVID-19 public health regulations, prompting the government to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time and triggering a substantial police operation to disband the protest.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the repercussions of the “Freedom Convoy” continue to reverberate, shaping the future of protest movements and public dissent in Canada.