OTTAWA (LifeSiteNews) – After internal pressure from MPs, Canada’s Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre came out in support of Freedom Convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, blasting a government plan to jail them for nearly a decade.
As reported by LifeSiteNews, Lich revealed over the weekend that the Canadian federal government is looking to lock her up in jail for no less than seven years and her counterpart, Chris Barber, for eight years.
Poilievre took to social media on Monday 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?”
Newly elected Conservative and pro-life MP Andrew Lawton went even further than his leader to blast the treatment of Lich and Barber, calling it “excessive and vindictive.”
“The prosecution of @LichTamara and @ChrisBarber1975 has been excessive and vindictive,” he wrote Monday on X.
“The Crown is seeking a seven-year sentence (eight for Chris) for a three-week peaceful protest almost 3 1/2 years ago. All while violent offenders are given slaps on the wrist.”
The sentencing trial for both Lich and Barber begins Wednesday in a hearing. Earlier this year, they were found guilty of mischief in their roles in the 2022 convoy.
On July 23, Barber will learn whether his stay of proceedings request will be granted.
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 clearout, an elderly lady was trampled by a police horse and many who donated to the cause had their bank accounts frozen.
