In a pivotal development for Ottawa’s judicial landscape, Justice Heather Perkins-McVey has scheduled October 7th as the sentencing date for Freedom Convoy organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber. The pair, who stood at the helm of the 2022 protests that paralyzed downtown Ottawa for nearly three weeks, were found guilty on multiple charges including mischief, intimidation, and counseling others to break the law.
The convoy that rolled into our city in January 2022 transformed Ottawa’s normally tranquil parliamentary precinct into what many residents described as an occupation zone. Thousands of protesters, along with hundreds of trucks and vehicles, blockaded streets while blaring horns at all hours. The demonstrations initially focused on opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cross-border truckers but quickly evolved into a broader movement against pandemic restrictions.
“The impact on downtown residents was profound,” says Michael Williams, who lives three blocks from Parliament Hill. “For those of us who experienced it firsthand, the convoy wasn’t just a protest—it disrupted our ability to work, sleep, and move freely through our own neighborhoods.”
The Crown is seeking a 30-day conditional sentence for Barber and significant jail time for Lich, potentially up to 20 months. Prosecutors have emphasized the “unprecedented” nature of the convoy and its substantial disruption to the capital’s core. The defense teams have countered by requesting conditional discharges, arguing their clients merely exercised their democratic right to protest.
During the lengthy trial that concluded this spring, court heard testimony from dozens of witnesses including local residents, business owners, and police officers. Evidence presented included extensive social media posts, text messages between organizers, and video footage documenting the scale and impact of the demonstrations.
Ottawa Business Improvement Area reported economic losses exceeding $44 million during the three-week protest period, with many small businesses forced to close temporarily. The city itself incurred costs of approximately $37 million related to policing, cleanup, and restoration efforts.
“The sentencing will set an important precedent about the balance between the right to protest and the rights of communities affected by prolonged demonstrations,” notes Dr. Emily Richardson, professor of constitutional law at Carleton University. “Whatever the outcome, it will likely influence how similar protests are managed in the future.”
The convoy ultimately ended after the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history, granting authorities expanded powers to clear the protesters. This controversial decision remains the subject of ongoing debate and inquiry.
For many Ottawa residents, the upcoming sentencing represents more than just the conclusion of a legal process—it’s about accountability for an event that fundamentally changed their perception of security in the capital.
“We’re a city that’s accustomed to protests,” says Maria Johnston, who owns a small café in the Byward Market. “But what happened during those weeks was something entirely different. There’s still lingering trauma for many downtown businesses and residents.”
The October sentencing hearing is expected to draw significant public attention, with both supporters of the convoy organizers and those who opposed the demonstrations likely to gather outside the courthouse.
Whatever Justice Perkins-McVey decides will undoubtedly influence conversations about the limits of protest, the protection of public spaces, and the difficult balance between freedom of expression and community well-being—questions that continue to resonate deeply in our capital city long after the last truck departed.
