Freedom Convoy
Ottawa spent “excessive” $2.2 million fighting Emergencies Act challenge
News release from the Canadian Constitution Foundation
Federal Court Justice Richard Mosley found in January that the February 2022 invocation of the Emergencies Act to deal with the Freedom Convoy protests was unreasonable because there was no national emergency nor threats to security of Canada as were required to invoke the Act.
The Canadian Constitution Foundation is shocked to learn that Ottawa spent more than $2 million of taxpayer funds unsuccessfully fighting the legal challenge launched by the CCF and others to the Trudeau government’s illegal invocation of the Emergencies Act in 2022.
The $2,231,000 figure was revealed by the Department of Justice in response to an inquiry from Conservative civil liberties critic Marilyn Gladu.
The hefty figure was first reported in the Globe and Mail. Experienced counsel told the Globe that the amount spent was “excessive.”
The number includes the cost that the government spent fighting the judicial review of the invocation decision in Federal Court. It does not include the cost of Ottawa’s appeal, which is proceeding at the Federal Court of Appeal.
Federal Court Justice Richard Mosley found in January that the February 2022 invocation of the Emergencies Act to deal with the Freedom Convoy protests was unreasonable because there was no national emergency nor threats to security of Canada as were required to invoke the Act.
Justice Mosley also found that regulations made as a result of the invocation violated freedom of expression because they captured people who “simply wanted to join in the protest by standing on Parliament Hill carrying a placard” and the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures because bank accounts were frozen without any sort of judicial pre-authorization.
CCF Litigation Director Joanna Baron was dismayed to learn how much Ottawa spent.
“Civil liberties groups like the CCF rely on regular Canadians who care about rights and freedoms to fund this type of public interest litigation,” she said.
“The fact that the government seems willing to spend whatever it takes to defend its unlawful decision shows what we’re up against when we fight to protect the constitution and the rule of law.”
The CCF is calling on the federal government to drop the appeal of Justice Mosley’s decision.
Canadians who agree with the decision are encouraged to sign the CCF’s online petition calling on the government to drop the appeal. The CCF is also asking Canadians to consider making a tax-deductible charitable donation to the CCF that will assist with fighting the appeal.
The CCF is represented by Sujit Choudhry of Haki Chambers and Janani Shanmuganathan of Goddard & Shanmuganathan.
COVID-19
Canadian legislator introduces bill to establish ‘Freedom Convoy Recognition Day’ as a holiday
From LifeSiteNews
MLA Tara Armstrong proposed a public holiday to ‘recognize the achievements of the Freedom Convoy, one of the largest peaceful demonstrations in Canadian history.’
A British Columbia Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the OneBC Party introduced a bill that proposes to create a holiday that recognizes the Freedom Convoy’s benefit on Canadian society held in 2022 to protest all COVID mandates.
Bill M 228 was introduced by OneBC Party MLA Tara Armstrong earlier this week and proposes to create a “Freedom Convoy Recognition Day.”
“This Bill designates March 11 as Freedom Convoy Recognition Day and establishes it as a public holiday and a statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act,” reads the text of the bill.
Armstrong is one of two MLAs from B.C. Conservative Party, which broke away last year to form OneBC after Conservative Leader John Rustad ousted them over social media comments. Of note is that Rustad was ousted as leader of the Conservative Party and official opposition on Wednesday and then resigned on Thursday.
According to Armstrong, the bill’s goal is to “recognize the achievements of the Freedom Convoy, one of the largest peaceful demonstrations in Canadian history.”
“It inspired movements across the globe to stand against lockdowns and government overreach,” she said.
“Mask mandates were lifted, faith communities could meet again, families were able to visit residents in long-term care.”
While it is unlikely the bill will become law, it may now, due to Rustad’s removal, go further along than just the first reading.
In early 2022, the Freedom Convoy saw thousands of Canadians from coast to coast come to Ottawa to demand an end to COVID mandates in all forms.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, former 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.
On October 7, 2025, after a long trial, Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey sentenced Freedom Convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber to 18 months’ house arrest. They had been declared guilty of mischief for their roles as leaders of the 2022 protest against COVID mandates, and as social media influencers.
Lich and Barber have filed appeals of their own against their house arrest sentences, arguing that the trial judge did not correctly apply the law on their mischief charges.
As reported by LifeSiteNews, the Canadian government is still going after Freedom Convoy leader Chris Barber, hoping to seize his rig “Big Red”, the truck he uses to support his family.
COVID-19
Canadian government seeking to destroy Freedom Convoy leader, taking Big Red from Chris Barber
From LifeSiteNews
The Crown claimed that ‘Big Red’ is an ‘offence-related property’ relating to Chris Barber’s involvement in the 2022 protests against Canada’s COVID mandates.
The Canadian government is still going after Freedom Convoy leader Chris Barber, this time hoping to seize his very livelihood.
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) has reported that it represented Barber during a November 26 hearing about the Crown’s attempt to take “Big Red,” Barber’s semi-truck. The Crown claimed that the vehicle is an “offence-related property” relating to Barber’s involvement in the 2022 protests against Canada’s COVID mandates.
Barber’s truck, a 2004 Kenworth long-haul, which he uses for business, was a focal point in the 2022 protests. He drove it to Ottawa, where it was parked for an extended period of time, but he complied when officials asked him to move it.
Barber’s lawyer, Diane Magas, said the Crown’s attempt to take away Barber’s livelihood is “not” in the spirit of laws in place regarding forfeiture.
“The impact of the forfeiture of ‘Big Red’, which is an essential part of the operation of Mr. Barber’s trucking business and is relied upon by Mr. Barber, his family, as well as employees, is not what Parliament had in mind when enacting those forfeiture provisions,” she said as per a JCCF press release.
“Especially considering the context of a political protest where the police told Mr. Barber where to park the truck and when Mr. Barber moved the truck after being asked to move it.”
The Freedom Convoy leader has talked about his truck, saying that, “Big Red is how I put food on the table.”
“I followed every instruction police gave me during the protest, and I never imagined the government would try to take the very truck I rely on to earn a living,” Barber continued.
A ruling regarding the Crown’s wish to seize Barber’s truck is expected to appear on December 19; however, the court case could drag into the new year.
RELATED: Freedom Convoy organizers sentenced to 18-month house arrest for role in protests
On October 7, 2025, after a long trial, Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey sentenced Tamara Lich and Barber to 18 months’ house arrest. They had been declared guilty of mischief for their roles as leaders of the 2022 protest against COVID mandates, and as social media influencers.
Lich and Barber have filed appeals of their own against their house arrest sentences, arguing that the trial judge did not correctly apply the law on their mischief charges.
Government lawyers for the Crown have filed an appeal of the acquittals of Lich and Barber on intimidation charges.
Lich and Barber were declared guilty of mischief for their roles as leaders of the protest against COVID mandates in April 2022, and as social media influencers. The conviction came after a nearly two-year trial despite the non-violent nature of the popular movement.
Net Zero goal is a fundamental flaw in the Ottawa-Alberta MOU
Eco-radical Canadian Cabinet minister resigns after oil deal approved
Learning the Truth about “Children’s Graves” and Residential Schools is More Important than Ever
Canadians will soon be versed in massive West Coast LPG mega-project
Recent price declines don’t solve Toronto’s housing affordability crisis
Manitoba Is Doubling Down On A Failed Drug Policy
Canada Still Serves Up Food Dyes The FDA Has Banned
-
illegal immigration1 day agoWhile Trump has southern border secure, hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants still flooding in from Canada
-
Censorship Industrial Complex1 day agoCanadian bishops condemn Liberal ‘hate speech’ proposal that could criminalize quoting Scripture
-
COVID-192 days ago
Canadian legislator introduces bill to establish ‘Freedom Convoy Recognition Day’ as a holiday
-
Energy2 days agoA look inside the ‘floatel’ housing B.C.’s LNG workforce
-
Business2 days agoUS Energy Secretary says price of energy determined by politicians and policies
-
Economy1 day agoWhat the Data Shows About the New Canada-Alberta Pipeline Opportunity
-
CBDC Central Bank Digital Currency1 day agoCan the COVID Scamsters Stick the Landing?
-
National2 days agoAlberta will use provincial laws to stop Canadian gov’t from trying to confiscate legal firearms