COVID-19
Freedom Convoy Sentencing: Lich and Barber escape prison terms but will spend months in house arrest
Court reporting from the X account of Right Blend
The following highlights are from the X account of Right Blend who has been covering the Freedom Convoy trial at length. For his complete coverage, please click on the title above or the X posting below.
1/ Tamara Lich and Chris Barber SENTENCING 🧵
The MOST comprehensive coverage ANYWHERE. Follow along for my courtroom reporting live from Ottawa.
It's finally here. Today Tamara and Chris will learn their fate.
The government has turned them into boogeymen and blamed them for… pic.twitter.com/hyBrcaGvHk
— Right Blend (@rightblend) October 7, 2025
24/ BACK IN SESSION.
Justice Heather Perkins-McVey of the Ontario Court of Justice continues.
Judge: as noted, at any sentencing the aggravating and mitigating factors are important in determining sentence
Aggravating:
Lich and Barber leaders of protest. Attended meeting to attend strategy of quote gridlocking city. Don’t know result of that meeting but by time of that meeting city already gridlocked as Mr Barber said in his texts.
They led significant convoy of trucks from western Canada. Their roles symbolic. Their messaging [important] … in sustaining protest. Ms Lich was primarily involved in fundraiser. Also encouraged others to come… said to incite others to [block streets and continue blockade]. While both took steps to help police but neither took steps to end protest.
Again Van Huigenbos, leadership in protest is aggravating factor especially when proudly undertaken and announced to others and police.
Protest lasted 3 weeks until enforcement. Neither Lich or Barber left until their arrest despite messaging the protest was unlawful. The excessive noise, fumes, and interruption of property distinguishes this case from shorter more contained events
… as noted in letter from mayor, community on edge and businesses teetering on edge of closing. Lich acknowledged in her letter many businesses cheering us on, but disturbing others.
At a press conference with Lich and others, a report stated people are fed up, blaring of noise, harassment of people on street. Counsel to convoy responded, you just heard Lich answer that question, not leaving until mandates lifted
Barber on Tiktok on Feb 4 stated few people in highrises dont like noises, dont know what i can help
Another tik tok feb 6, people getting pissed off… dont understand why… on your side, need an audience. Citizens of ottawa put pressure on gov… sorry it had to happen in your city.
In a news article quoting barber, he said we understand your frustration, wish there was another way to get it across. But responsibility lies with politicians… who refuse to engage in daiaglouge
28/ … I MUST REJECT BOTH SENTENCES OF CROWN AND DEFENCE
… the sentence must reflect society’s condemnation of such conduct. The accused committed serious form of mischief… it is a crime. The accused’s actions had detrimental effect on citizens of Ottawa who wanted to carry on without horns. The roads impassible by trucks emitting diesel fumes making it impossible at times to exit their building and buses to come
The sentence imposed must make clear many Canadians denounce and deter others… and the court must also considered both aggravating and mitigating factors
Given no criminal record, restrain plays a factor…
At sentencing hearing, defence submitted absolute sentence as fair and fit. In my view, such a sentence would be unfit… [quotes Sorano] the courts are overwhelmingly concerned with deterrence… it may be in accused favor for discharge… would send wrong message… would undermine confidence in administration of justice
The court equally rejects 7 and 8 years… it would also be unfit, unfair for the circumstances and principles of sentencing. Individuals accused of serious / violent crimes rarely receive a sentence of that term.
… [quoting Coutts cases]
33/ The court finds a [conditional sentence] appropriate and not risk to community.
Both accused have cooperated with bail. Arrest respectful. Neither accused pose risk to community if served [at home] Not going to impose probation after conditional sentence
34/ CHRISTOPHER BARBER, PLEASE STAND
CONDITIONAL SENTENCE OF 18 MONTHS FOR MISCHIEF
CONCURRENT 3 MONTHS FOR DISOBEY COURT ORDER
SERVED IN COMMUNITY WITH CONDITIONS:
As noted in Prune [sp], conditional sentence can be longer than jail…
The statutory conditions apply, be of the peace and be of good behavior, report to a supervisor, and after that at such times as required by or authorized by supervisor. This order will transfer to Saskatchewan.
You will remain within jurisdiction of the court unless written permission.
Once the matter is transferred can seek. Must notify change of name or occupation.
In addition, you shall remain within your residence or property of residence for first 12 months except for emergency of you or family or travelling to Stuart Valley for purposes of employment, or going to legal or religious service.
Once per week allowed out for 5 hours for necessities of life.
Also allowed out with prior written permission of supervisor to be carried with you and any other conditions as written by supervisor.
For remaining period of time will abide by curfew of being on property between 10 pm – 5 am except for employment, emergencies of him or family, or permission of supervisor.
38/ MS LICH RISES
I am also imposing a conditional sentence of 18 MONTHS.
Although your roles were different. I am subtracting 74 days. So sentence in 15.4 months. As previously noted, this is longer sentence than otherwise would have imposed if in custody for deterrence.
In addition to statutory conditions, I am ordering that you report today to a supervisor here or after such times the supervisor or anyone authorized. This matter will be transferred to Medicine Hat.
For first 12 month you are to be on house arrest to be in your house or on your property at all times except for travelling for court attendances, or medical emergencies for yourself or immediate family, I know you have grandchild on the way can we add grandchildren.
Travelling to or from employment. For medical appointments or religious gatherings. Or with written permission of supervisor. For 5 hours a week for necessities of life.
And I am granting an exception to be out for birth of your grandchild.
For the remaining 3.5 months to be in your residence between 10 pm and 5 am, except for employment or medical emergencies.
You are also going to perform 100 hours of community service under the control of your supervisor. The judge explains that this is to be worked out with the supervisor. Written permission.
Greenspon says those exceptions are fine.
The judge says she knows her work takes her to different places. The crown asks for emailing [work] schedule as with Mr Barber.
From LifeSiteNews
The Crown’s appeal claims the judge made a mistake in her verdict on the intimidation charges, and also in how she treated aggravating and mitigating factors regarding sentencing.
Government lawyers for the Crown have filed an appeal the acquittals of Freedom Convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber on intimidation charges.
The Crown also wants their recent 18-month conditional sentence on mischief charges replaced with harsher penalties, which could include possible jail time.
According to the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), it is “asking the Ontario Court of Appeal to enter a conviction on the intimidation charge or order a new trial on that count,” for Barber’s charges.
Specifically, the Crown’s appeal claims that the judge made a mistake in her verdict on the intimidation charges, and also in how she treated aggravating and mitigating factors regarding sentencing.
As reported by LifeSiteNews, both 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.
Barber’s lawyer, Diane Magas, said that her client “relied in good faith on police and court direction during the protest. The principles of fairness and justice require that citizens not be punished for following the advice of authorities. We look forward to presenting our arguments before the Court.”
On October 7, Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey sentenced Lich and Chris Barber to 18 months’ house arrest after being convicted earlier in the year of “mischief.”
Lich was given 18 months less time already spent in custody, amounting to 15 1/2 months.
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.
The Lich and Barber trial concluded in September 2024, more than a year after it began. It was originally scheduled to last 16 days.
As reported by LifeSiteNews, the Canadian government was hoping to put Lich in jail for no less than seven years and Barber for eight years.
LifeSiteNews recently reported that Lich detailed her restrictive house arrest conditions, revealing she is “not” able to leave her house or even pick up her grandchildren from school without permission from the state.
As reported by LifeSiteNews, Lich, reflecting on her recent house arrest verdict, said she has no “remorse” and will not “apologize” for leading a movement that demanded an end to all COVID mandates.
From LifeSiteNews
Lawyers will argue that there is no evidence linking Tamara Lich ‘to the misdeeds of others.’
Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich said she will appeal her recent mischief conviction in an Ontario court, with her lawyers saying “there was no evidence linking her to the misdeeds of others.”
In a press release late yesterday, Lich’s legal team, headed by Lawrence Greenspon, Eric Granger, and Hannah Drennan, made the announcement.
“Lawyers for Tamara Lich filed Notice of Appeal in the Ontario Court of Appeal of the conviction for mischief arising out of the Freedom Convoy,” the release stated.
Lich’s legal team noted that there are two reasons for the principal grounds of appeal.
“While there was substantial evidence that Tamara encouraged the protesters to be peaceful, lawful and safe, there was no evidence linking her to the misdeeds of others,” they said.
The second reason for the appeal, according to Lich’s lawyers, is that the “trial judge failed to give effect to the principle that communication that would otherwise be mischief is protected by section 2(b) of the Charter, freedom of expression.”
On October 7, Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey sentenced Lich and Chris Barber to 18 months’ house arrest after being convicted earlier in the year of “mischief.”
Lich was given 18 months less time already spent in custody, amounting to 15 1/2 months.
As reported by LifeSiteNews, the Canadian government was hoping to put Lich in jail for no less than seven years and Barber for eight years for their roles in the 2022 protests against COVID mandates.
Interestingly, Perkins-McVey said about Lich and Barber during the sentencing, “They came with the noblest of intent and did not advocate for violence.”
As reported by LifeSiteNews, Lich, reflecting on her recent sentencing of over a year’s house arrest for her role in the 2022 Freedom Convoy, laid bare the fact that when all is said in done, seven years of her life will have been spent in a government-imposed “lockdown” in one form or another.
LifeSiteNews recently reported that Lich detailed her restrictive house arrest conditions, revealing she is “not” able to leave her house or even pick up her grandkids from school without permission from the state.
As reported by LifeSiteNews, Lich, reflecting on her recent house arrest verdict, said she has no “remorse” and will not “apologize” for leading a movement that demanded an end to all COVID mandates.
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