OTTAWA, Ontario (LifeSiteNews) — The defense is calling for an absolute discharge for Freedom Convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber as their trial continues.
During a July 24 court session, defense lawyers argued that Lich and Barber should not serve additional jail time for their role in organizing and leading the 2022 Freedom Convoy which protested COVID mandates.
“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,” Lich’s lawyer Lawrence Greenspon said.
“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,” he continued.
Currently, the Crown is seeking seven years for Lich on a single mischief conviction, and eight years for Barber and the forfeiture of Barber’s truck.
This sentencing, to be determined on October 7, has been roundly condemned by Canadians, including many prominent politicians.
Earlier this week, Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre took to social media to blast the Crown lawyers for wanting long jail terms for the convoy leaders.
“Let’s get this straight: while rampant violent offenders are released hours after their most recent charges & antisemitic rioters vandalize businesses, terrorize daycares & block traffic without consequences, the Crown wants 7 years prison time for the charge of mischief for Lich & Barber,” he wrote on X.
“How is this justice?” he questioned.
READ: Tamara Lich thanks Poilievre for calling out ‘double standard’ justice system
Indeed, while the Crown is seeking nearly decade long sentences for Lich and Barber, dangerous criminals in Canada are routinely given light sentences, per Liberal policies.
According to Canada Proud, a Muslim man who tried to buy sex from a 15-year-old girl was sentenced to only three months of house arrest.
Similarly, assailants in a swarming attack received two years’ probation or less. Another man who exposed himself to a woman in her apartment was given nine months of house arrest.
In April, Lich and Barber were found guilty of mischief for their roles as leaders of the 2022 protest and as social media influencers. The conviction came after a nearly two-year trial despite the non-violent nature of the popular movement.
The Lich and Barber trial concluded in September 2024, more than a year after it began. It was originally scheduled to last 16 days.
Lich and Barber were initially arrested on February 17, 2022, meaning their legal battle has lasted longer than three years.
Despite the peaceful nature of the Freedom Convoy, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act to clear out protesters, an action a federal judge has since said was “not justified.” During the clear-out, an elderly lady was trampled by a police horse and many who donated to the cause had their bank accounts frozen.
