From LifeSiteNews

By Clare Marie Merkowsky

The Royal Bank of Canada terminated Freedom Convoy lawyer Eva Chipiuk’s accounts, saying her activity is outside its ‘client risk appetite’ and prompting accusations of political targeting.

The Royal Bank of Canada is shutting down a Freedom Convoy lawyer’s accounts over “risk concerns.”

In a July 23 post on X, Freedom Convoy layer Eva Chipiuk revealed that the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) terminated its banking relationship with her, citing “risk-related concerns” due to “recent activity” being outside their “client risk appetite.”

“As a federally regulated financial institution, RBC is required by law to comply with applicable legislation,” the letter, posted on X, read. “These laws require that we implement certain processes and procedures which directly support the formulation of RBC’s positions with respect to risk.”

“After careful consideration, we regretfully advise you that the recent activity in your accounts is outside of RBC’s client risk appetite, and consequently we are no longer in a position to continue our banking relationship with you,” it continued.

Well, I wasn’t expecting this, @RBC.

Welcome to Canada, where tyranny has great customer service. pic.twitter.com/yQI8QUs8pj

— Eva Chipiuk, BSc, LLB, LLM (@echipiuk) July 23, 2025

The decision followed a flagged Bitcoin transaction, after which RBC froze her account and asked her questions about her crypto activities, which she described to the Western Standard as “strange and demeaning.”

The bank gave her until August 18, 2025, to find a new financial institution, cryptically referencing compliance with federal regulations but providing no specific law or detailed explanation.

Chipiuk, who has been vocal about her criticism of Canadian institutions, suggested the debanking might be linked to her involvement in the Freedom Convoy or her public stance.

Many Canadians responded to the news online, calling out tyrannical government behavior and advocating for Canadians to invest their money in bitcoin and crypto currency.

“This is brazen and astonishing behavior by @RBC towards @echipiuk,” Ontario member of provincial parliament (MPP) Randy Hillier wrote on X.

“Eva is a well-known lawyer in Canada and has been debanked apparently because she is a ‘risk,’” he continued. “It appears that because she uses crypto and is a well known vocal advocate for freedom, she can’t have a bank account.”

“Please note! Everyone of the 5 Canadian bank owns a major stake in each other,” he warned. “Banks are becoming unsafe for Canadians and Credit unions are a safe and better alternative.”

This is brazen and astonishing behavior by @RBC towards @echipiuk.
Eva is a well-known lawyer in Canada and has been debanked apparently because she is a "risk."

It appears that because she uses crypto and is a well known vocal advocate for freedom, she can't have a bank… https://t.co/Z5JsShDkoI

— Randy Hillier (@randyhillier) July 23, 2025

The move is reminiscent of major Canadian banks freezing funds of those who donated to the 2022 Freedom Convoy, under the direction of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Under his invocation of the Emergencies Act, which was later ruled to be unjustified, the Trudeau government took the unprecedented step of freezing the bank accounts of hundreds who donated to and sympathized with the truckers to the tune of almost $8 million.

From LifeSiteNews

By Clare Marie Merkowsky

The defense is calling for an absolute discharge for Freedom Convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber as their trial continues.

During a July 24 court session, defense lawyers argued that Lich and Barber should not serve additional jail time for their role in organizing and leading the 2022 Freedom Convoy which protested COVID mandates.

“This is an individual who came to this city with the best of intentions, as recognized by the judge. She has been under strict bail conditions for three-and-a-half years. She spent 49 days in jail for the offence of mischief,” Lich’s lawyer Lawrence Greenspon said.

“And if one looks at the positive impact that she’s had on the lives of many Canadians and the community service that she has continued to do, there’s absolutely no reason for her to not receive an absolute discharge,” he continued.

Currently, the Crown is seeking seven years for Lich on a single mischief conviction, and eight years for Barber and the forfeiture of Barber’s truck.

This sentencing, to be determined on October 7, has been roundly condemned by Canadians, including many prominent politicians.

Earlier this week, Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre took to social media to blast the Crown lawyers for wanting long jail terms for the convoy leaders.

“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 & Barber,” he wrote on X.

“How is this justice?” he questioned.

Indeed, while the Crown is seeking nearly decade long sentences for Lich and Barber, dangerous criminals in Canada are routinely given light sentences, per Liberal policies.

According to Canada Proud, a Muslim man who tried to buy sex from a 15-year-old girl was sentenced to only three months of house arrest.

Similarly, assailants in a swarming attack received two years’ probation or less. Another man who exposed himself to a woman in her apartment was given nine months of house arrest.

In April, Lich and Barber were found guilty of mischief for their roles as leaders of the 2022 protest 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.

Lich and Barber were initially arrested on February 17, 2022, meaning their legal battle has lasted longer than three years.

Despite the peaceful nature of the Freedom Convoy, then-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.