Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, the key figures behind the “Freedom Convoy,” are set to receive their sentences today, almost four years following the widespread protest that brought downtown Ottawa to a standstill.
In a verdict rendered in April, both Lich and Barber were found guilty of mischief. Notably, Barber faced an additional charge of inciting others to commit mischief.
The prosecution has requested a seven-year prison term for Lich and an eight-year sentence for Barber. Crown prosecutor Siobhain Wetscher emphasized the significant societal repercussions caused by the convoy protests on the residents of Ottawa.
Conversely, defense lawyers for Lich and Barber are advocating for complete discharges without any criminal records, citing the extensive punitive measures their clients have already endured under strict bail conditions for over three and a half years.
Lich and Barber spearheaded the protest that attracted thousands of individuals and hundreds of trucks to central Ottawa in early 2022, aimed at demanding the lifting of all COVID-19 public health mandates.
Following the protest, the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time on Feb. 14, triggering a multi-day police operation to clear Ottawa’s downtown core.