Sentencing hearing begins for ‘Freedom Convoy’ leaders found guilty of mischief

The sentencing hearing for two of the leaders of the 2022 ‘Freedom Convoy’ has begun after they were found guilty of mischief in April.

Chris Barber and Tamara Lich were found responsible for encouraging people to join or continue with the protest that occupied downtown Ottawa for three weeks beginning in January 2022.

Two days have been put aside for the presentation of sentencing submissions from both sides in Ottawa.

The Crown is arguing for a sentence of seven years for Lich and eight years for Barber.

Barber was found responsible for counseling others to disobey court orders, an additional charge that Lich did not receive.

Chris Barber told people to ignore a judge’s injunction directing participants of the convoy to stop honking their horns.

READ MORE: ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizer Pat King given 3-month conditional sentence

Another convoy leader, Pat King, was sentenced to three months of house arrest, 100 hours of community service at a food bank or men’s shelter and a year of probation.

The Crown sought a sentence of 10 years in prison for mischief and disobeying a court order.

King also received a credit of nine months for time served.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre took to X to express his belief that the Crown’s proposal to sentence Lich to seven years is not Justice.

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…

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) July 21, 2025

Lich and Barber both thanked the Conservative Leader for his support.

“In our case, the double standard and the vindictive nature from the prosecution office has become too obvious to ignore and will set a precedent going forward that will affect all Canadians who choose to peacefully protest or deter them from exercising their Charter Right to peacefully assemble,” Lich says in her reply to Poilievre.

It is with the deepest gratitude that I thank you for acknowledging and bringing awareness to the two tier legal system we are witnessing unfold in Canada.

There is a fine line between politics and the judiciary, as there should be, and I have long understood the uncomfortable… https://t.co/Bg5vRlCAni

— Tamara Lich 🇨🇦 (@LichTamara) July 22, 2025

READ MORE: ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers Lich, Barber found guilty of mischief

“Thank you, Pierre, we’ve been waiting so long for elected officials to speak up,” says Barber.

Thank you, Pierre, we’ve been waiting so long for elected officials to speak up. https://t.co/HsrmNYJBSK

— Chris Barber (Big Red) (@ChrisBarber1975) July 21, 2025

Several other prominent Conservatives shared Poilievre’s message even though it is uncommon for elected officials to comment on a sentencing hearing.

Lich and Barber were found not guilty of charges of intimidation, counseling to commit intimidation, obstructing police and counseling others to obstruct police.

With files from the Canadian Press. 

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