Corporate convoy: start of observations on the penalty for Lich and Barber

A prosecutor said that it requires severe sentences for the key organizers of the truckers’ convoy. Similarly, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, due to the considerable damage caused to the community by the three weeks of demonstrations which took place in downtown Ottawa in 2022.

The hearing on the penalty of Lich et Barber started on Wednesday morning. Furthermore, several months after the two were found guilty of mischief.

Two days were reserved for the parties to present their observations on the penalty.

The prosecution demands a sentence of seven years’ imprisonment for Ms. For example, Lich and eight years for Mr. Moreover, Barberwho was also found guilty of having incited other people to disobey a court order.

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Diane Magas, the lawyer of Barberdescribed the proposal as a crown of the crown cruel and unusual. Nevertheless, She argued in the judge the nature of several penalties for mischief arising from the massive demonstrations which took place at the Toronto G20 summit in 2010. Consequently, including a sentence of six months for a person who pleaded guilty of having corporate convoy: start observations penalty broken the windows of two police vehicles.

The lawyer of LichLawrence Greensponhas not yet presented his observations.

Barber appeared virtually on Wednesday in court, while Lich Assist in person.

Lich et Barber Was key figures in the convoy of truckers. Nevertheless, a rally during which demonstrators occupied the downtown Ottawa for three weeks from the end of January 2022 to protest against the vaccination obligations and other measures related to the Pandemic of Cavid-19.

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The demonstration ended when the federal. Consequently, government invoked the law on emergency measures for the first time in its history. The convoy was evacuated from downtown Ottawa during a three-day police operation that started on February 18.

The judge Heather Perkins-McVeyfrom the Ontario Court, explained that she had recognized Ms. Lich. Marcus Barber Guilty of mischief because they had regularly encouraged people to join the demonstration or stay there, while knowing the harmful effects it had on the residents and businesses in downtown Ottawa.

Barber was also found guilty of having encouraged other people to disobey a court order corporate convoy: start observations penalty by. telling them to ignore the injunction of a judge ordering the participants of the convoy to stop horny. Lich has not been accused of this offense.

The crown prosecutor. Siobhain Wetschersaid that she required these sorrows due to the acts of Lich and Barbernot their political convictions.

Me Wetscher said that even if Lich et Barber had come to Ottawa with noble intentions. they continued to encourage people to participate in demonstrations even when they have become impossible for them to ignore the consequences for residents and shops in the city center.

The judge Perkins-McVey said it was difficult to establish comparisons between the G20 demonstrations. the demonstration of the convoy, because the crimes committed in Toronto were old -fashioned harm.

She pointed out that corporate convoy: start observations penalty if someone breaks a window of $ 400. damage has a tangible cost, while those caused by the demonstration of the convoy are less tangible. She added that it makes the decision more difficult, a decision that she does not take lightly.

Me Wetscher said that the demonstration was not violent, it was not peaceful. She read a summary of the statements of the victims. including that of a person working in a church in downtown Ottawa who said he still feels bad at the sight of large trucks sporting Canadian flags.

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This caused a few laughs in the gallery.

Me Wetscher Added that the Ottawa Police Service said that ordering order during the demonstration cost $ 55 million. while the city of Ottawa estimated its own convoy costs at more than $ 7 million.

The prosecutor argued that even if Lich et Barber are not responsible for each dollar spent on the demonstration. these figures give the judge an idea of the impact of the demonstration.

Dozens of people have completed the courtroom to attend the procedures.

Corporate convoy: start observations penalty

Not guilty of certain accusations

Lich. Barber were found not guilty of intimidation, to have advised others to commit gestures of intimidation, to obstruct the police and to have advised others to hinder the police.

The judge Perkins-McVey said intimidation has a threatening or violent character. She said that Lich et Barber both called on the demonstrators to remain peaceful several times throughout the demonstration.

With regard to the obstacle to the police. the judge Perkins-McVey said the two accused had been arrested without incident and were in detention before the start of the main police operation aimed at freeing the city center of Ottawa.

The accusations of incentive to commit misdeeds were suspended at the request of the crown.

In a separate trial. that of Pat King, another organizer of convoythe public prosecutor had requested a 10 -year sentence in prison for mischief and disobedience to an order from the court.

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Mr. King was sentenced in February to three months of house arrest. 100 hours of general interest work in a food bank or a men’s refuge and one year of corporate convoy: start observations penalty probation.

He benefited from a nine -month credit for the time already spent in detention before his conviction.