Two major figures from the “Freedom Convoy” in early 2022, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, will be sentenced today after receiving a guilty verdict for mischief in July.
The crown is seeking extraordinary sentences for the pair, arguing that the penalties should reflect the impact of the three week blockade protests in downtown Ottawa.
Crown prosecutor Siobhain Wetscher had asked Justice Heather Perkins McVey for an eight year prison sentence for Barber and seven years for Lich.
The proposed sentence for Barber is longer due to an additional conviction for counseling others to disobey a court order.
Barber’s lawyer Diane Magas said that an eight-year sentence on top of strict bail conditions would be “abusive.”
Lich’s lawyer Lawrence Greenspon said he and Lich are “cautiously optimistic” and his client is “looking forward to having this ended.”
In January of 2022, the pair encouraged people to park their cars in downtown Ottawa. Thousands of people protested Covid-19 mandates and other government policies, which caused gridlock for weeks. These disruptions were so severe, it prompted the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act.
