Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two leaders of the convoy protest, are scheduled to be sentenced for mischief on Oct. 7 in an Ottawa courtroom. Read MoreThe Crown is seeking a prison sentence of seven years for Lich and eight years for Barber, who was also found guilty of counselling others to disobey a court order.
The Crown is seeking a prison sentence of seven years for Lich and eight years for Barber, who was also found guilty of counselling others to disobey a court order.
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Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two leaders of the convoy protest, are scheduled to be sentenced for mischief on Oct. 7 in an Ottawa courtroom.
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In addition to lengthy prison sentences, the Crown wants to seize Barber’s truck, which was used in the protest.
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A forfeiture hearing on that matter is scheduled for Sept. 12.
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Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said Thursday she wants to rule on the mischief sentence and truck forfeiture at the same time so that she does not deliver “piecemeal” decisions.
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Lich and Barber were both found guilty of mischief in April for their roles in the convoy protest, which saw activists fill much of downtown Ottawa for three weeks beginning in late January 2022 to protest vaccine mandates and other pandemic measures.
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The Evening Citizen
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The Crown is seeking a prison sentence of seven years for Lich and eight years for Barber, who was also found guilty of counselling others to disobey a court order.
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The lawyers for both Lich and Barber are seeking absolute discharges for their clients, which would mean neither receives a criminal record.
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On Thursday, Lich’s lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, told the court that Lich has already spent 49 days in jail and has been under strict bail conditions for the last three-and-a-half years.
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Greenspon argued that his client and Barber took “unprecedented” steps by working with police and city officials throughout the protest to limit the protest’s impact.
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“This is an individual who came to this city with the best of intentions, as recognized by the judge. She has been under strict bail conditions for three-and-a-half years. She spent 49 days in jail for the offence of mischief,” Greenspon said during the hearing’s lunch break.
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“And if one looks at the positive impact that she’s had on the lives of many Canadians and the community service that she has continued to do, there’s absolutely no reason for her to not receive an absolute discharge.”
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Greenspon read a brief statement on Lich’s behalf that simply said “freedom is not free.” Accused are given a chance to address the court during sentencing submissions.
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Barber’s lawyer, Diane Magas, said Wednesday that she is seeking an absolute discharge for her client because he has been on bail for the last three-and-a-half years without incident.
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