Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, prominent figures in the 2022 “Freedom Convoy,” have been given conditional sentences, avoiding additional jail time. Earlier this year, Barber was convicted of mischief and inciting others to defy a court order, while Lich was convicted of mischief. Both individuals were acquitted of several other charges.
Under the recent ruling, they each received an 18-month conditional sentence: Twelve months confined at home with limited weekly outings, followed by six months under a curfew starting at 10 p.m. Lich will receive credit for her initial 19-day jail term and an additional 30 days spent in custody for breaching bail conditions. Additionally, both Barber and Lich are required to complete 100 hours of community service.
Lawrence Greenspon, representing Lich, mentioned that they are contemplating whether to appeal her conviction. He emphasized the successful avoidance of further jail time as the primary goal. Meanwhile, Diane Magas, Barber’s defense lawyer, expressed respect for the judge’s decision, considering it reasonable and in line with their expectations.
The sentencing in Ottawa follows hearings held in July, where Crown prosecutor Siobhain Wetscher sought substantial prison terms of eight years for Barber and seven years for Lich. Wetscher argued that these severe sentences would reflect the significant impact the duo had on the public during the protests in Ottawa, where they encouraged numerous demonstrators to block city streets for weeks and raised substantial funds to oppose COVID-19 mandates by the federal government.
Ultimately, the government declared a state of emergency to disband the protests. Despite calls for an absolute discharge by the lawyers of Lich and Barber, the judge’s decision resulted in conditional sentences for the pair. An absolute discharge would have meant no criminal record for Lich.