Tuesday, 12 September 2023

LIVE BLOG: of the criminal trial of convoy protest

 
 

Tamara Lich Trial Day 26: Judge removes some Crown redactions from Ottawa Police email chain

http://TamaraTrial.com

 

 

YO David Anber your client Randy Hillier and his buddies sure love to yap eh?

Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada

<mcu@justice.gc.ca>
Thu, Oct 26, 2023 at 9:36 AM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for writing to the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed.

We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.

-------------------

Merci d'avoir écrit à l'honorable Arif Virani, ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.

En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu avec soin.

Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.

 

Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario

<Premier@ontario.ca>
Thu, Oct 26, 2023 at 9:35 AM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued.

You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read, reviewed and taken into consideration.

There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a response may take several business days.

Thanks again for your email.

______

Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.

Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.

Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.

Merci encore pour votre courriel.

Moore, Rob - M.P.

<Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca>
Thu, Oct 26, 2023 at 9:36 AM
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

*This is an automated response*

 

Thank you for contacting the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P. office. We appreciate the time you took to get in touch with our office.

 

If you did not already, please ensure to include your full contact details on your email and the appropriate staff will be able to action your request. We strive to ensure all constituent correspondence is responded to in a timely manner.

 

If your question or concern is time sensitive, please call our office: 506-832-4200.

 

Again, we thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Office of the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P.

Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal

rob.moore@parl.gc.ca

   
 
 

David Amos

<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thu, Oct 26, 2023 at 9:33 AM
To: ask@davidanber.com, "David.Fraser" <David.Fraser@cbc.ca>, realpatriotsmoothie@protonmail.com, jason@yellowhead.vote, media@yellowhead.vote, info@donaldbest.ca, DonaldBestOnline@proton.me, "martin.gaudet" <martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, "rob.moore" <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, "Michael.Duheme" <Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, premier <premier@ontario.ca>


https://rumble.com/v1tcolz-james-bauder-full-witness-statements.html

 James Bauder - Full Witness Statements
The Lavigne Show
 
 
 

Changing trial venue an ill-fated strategy for convoy organizers

Pat King, James Bauder and Randy Hillier tried and failed to move their trials from Ottawa

After failing in their attempts to have their criminal trials moved elsewhere, leaders of what became the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa will be tried in the city where they came to protest for more than three weeks in early 2022.

Lawyers say attempts to change the court venue were ill-fated from the start.

"It's a pretty high standard that you have to meet to demonstrate bias," said Vancouver-based lawyer Kyla Lee, chair of the Canadian Bar Association's criminal division.

"Having been annoyed by the actions of the Freedom Convoy is probably not going to rise to the level of demonstrating bias in a juror."

There is no right to be tried by persons who share one's political views.
- Justice Charles Hackland

Three men will be tried by jury in Ottawa for their roles in the truck-based protest that rolled into Canada's capital in January 2022, calling for an end to COVID-19 mandates among other grievances.

Dirk Derstine, a criminal defence lawyer at Derstine Penman in Toronto, said defendants often apply to change venue when they're apprehensive local jurors might be "riled up against the accused for whatever reason." 

In some cases, Crown lawyers argue that no matter where a trial moves, that same apprehension of bias could exist. 

"There's no point running away from it, because everybody's going to know this," he said.

King, Bauder, Hillier denied venue change

James Bauder, a 52-year-old from Calgary, unsuccessfully argued in February he was the victim of "political persecution." 

The self-represented convoy organizer led a smaller truck protest to Ottawa in 2021 and returned the following year alongside thousands of others. 

On both trips he was promoting a now-infamous "memorandum of understanding" demanding that COVID-19 measures be overthrown and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau step down for "committing treason and crimes against humanity."

Now facing charges of mischief to obstruct property, disobeying a lawful court order and obstructing a peace officer, Bauder tried to get his case moved to Brockville or North Bay, Ont. 

 James Bauder testifying at thePublic Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Thursday, Nov 3, 2022.James Bauder appears as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa on Nov. 3, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

"I believe that I will not get a fair trial in Ottawa because I participated in a very high-profile, highly politicized, lawful protest directed at the federal government in Ottawa," he said during a Feb. 3 hearing, adding the city is full of government employees who are "not my peers."

His bid was rejected after a Superior Court justice determined Bauder wasn't well-known enough.

In a written decision Justice Charles Hackland said Bauder's argument was "baseless in fact and boils down to his concern that most Ottawa residents do not share his political views."

"There is no right to be tried by persons who share one's political views," Hackland ruled. 

Randy Hillier, who was an Ontario MPP during the protests in Ottawa, was also denied a change of venue

His lawyer David Anber argued there was "widespread bias" against protesters that could prejudice potential jurors.

Hillier was arrested in March, after the convoy had left Ottawa, but there were calls for him to be taken into custody during the protests after he encouraged supporters to call emergency phone lines. He was also involved in a scuffle with police on Parliament Hill.

MPP Randy Hillier calling to turn himself in to Ottawa Police Services. Former MPP Randy Hillier arrives to turn himself in at Ottawa police headquarters on March 28, 2022. Police announced nine charges against him soon after. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

In her decision, Ontario Superior Court Justice Anne London-Weinstein agreed there was a probability of prejudice against Hillier, but she said there were enough safeguards to prevent a jury from being biased, including by screening prospective jurors. 

"Unfortunately she was not persuaded that the normal safeguards wouldn't grant Mr. Hillier a fair trial," Anber said in a statement. "We disagree with the outcome but are accepting it at this time and moving on with preparing to contest the trial."

Hillier, who represented an Ottawa-area riding between 2007 and 2022, is charged with assaulting a police officer, mischief and seven other charges. 

Pat King's lawyer Natasha Calvinho argued her client is more notorious than Bauder or Hillier. King's social media feed was a must-watch for many taking part in or watching the protests. 

He's facing charges of mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, disobeying a court order and obstructing police for his role in the weeks-long protest.

Calvinho had argued her client was too "notorious" and that King "was and still is more highly publicized than most other people involved in the Freedom Convoy."

But Hackland said the law "will provide the needed safeguards against potential juror bias."

Pat King leaving the Ottawa courthouse. Pat King pumps his fist as he emerges from the Ottawa Courthouse after receiving bail on July 18, 2022. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Courts safeguard against bias

Derstine said biased jurors can be screened out through specific questions during jury selection.

"There's a fair amount of judicial resistance to the idea of change of venue applications," he said. "They happen, but it's a pretty high bar." 

Beyond a general desire to have crimes tried in the jurisdiction in which they were committed, Derstine said there's also a "balance of convenience" argument against moving trials.

Moving a trial adds travel and other costs for the people involved, and creates a burden for whatever jurisdiction it's moved to.

"Other jurisdictions don't just rub their hands with glee at the idea of taking your big high-profile trial," Derstine said.

Lee said when a juror is selected, it's presumed they'll be able to fulfil their obligations in an impartial manner.

"It's pretty hard to say that there is bias just because they heard some honking or traffic affected them really badly. It has to be something more closely related, like a painting of the mind of the jury against the individual, or actions undertaken by that jury that demonstrates bias against the accused," she said.

Neither Tamara Lich nor Chris Barber, two of the protests's other main organizers, attempted to move their trials.

They're being jointly tried by a judge alone on charges for mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police.

That trial is set to resume later this month. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

 

https://rumble.com/v3rd4ty-scuttlebutt-lodge-w-randy-hillier.html

 Scuttlebutt Lodge w/ Randy Hillier
The Lavigne Show

Scuttlebutt Lodge is more than just a lodge, it is a meeting place of
ideas. Randy Hillier is the patriarch of an amazing family of leaders
as well. Join the conversation with Randy to under the state of the
political environment in Ontario, Canada, and abroad.


https://rumble.com/v38lpiw-unusual-punishment-w-pat-king.html

 Unusual Punishment w/ Pat King
The Lavigne Show

Welcome to this extraordinary episode of YYC, titled "Unusual
Punishment," where we sit down with the courageous and defiant Pat
King. As one of the vital convoy organizers, Pat's name has become
synonymous with resistance against the overreaching arm of the federal
government. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the gripping
journey of a man charged, jailed, debanked, and now facing trial this
November.

Episode Highlights:
- The Man Behind the Movement: Learn about Pat King's history and how
he used his social media influence to champion a cause that resonates
with thousands.
- Facing Unusual Punishment: Understand the details of the legal
struggle Pat is immersed in, along with the consequences that led to
his current predicament.
- Standing for Freedom: Join us as we explore Pat's steadfast
commitment to his principles, his vision for freedom, and his stand
against governmental infringement.
- Legal Defense Fundraising: Discover how Pat has been granted
permission to fundraise for his legal defence and what you can do to
support this stalwart defender of civil liberties.

Pat's story is a vivid reminder of the power and peril of standing up
for what you believe in. His battle has become a symbol for many who
are fed up with the government's excesses.




https://rumble.com/v3rs6o7-freedom-trial-w-patriotsmoothie-jon-villeneuve.html

 Freedom Trial w/ PatriotSmoothie (Jon Villeneuve)
The Lavigne Show
1.91K followers


PatriotSmoothie has been a staple at the Courthouse for the Tamara
Lich and Chris Barber trial. From day one PatriotSmoothie can be seen
Live posting from his laptop with excellent detail and incredible
updates. From his start covering the Freedom Convoy 2022,
PatriotSmoothie has become a go-to for some of the best coverage of
Ottawa available.

https://www.facebook.com/realrightblend

Intro
Political commentator and independent reporter | You can call me Jon

    Page · Digital creator
    realpatriotsmoothie@protonmail.com

patriotsmoothie
etorSsnodp4h521i3ic000ftf8ma7f
g10h71723c4mct28tt0i2il00h3ll1  ·
I'm going to be on with Jason Lavigne in just about an hour
Watch The Lavigne Show at 8 am eastern


David Raymond Amos
Trust that I will be watching


---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2022 16:03:41 -0400
Subject: YO Patty Baby King For the PUBLIC RECORD Marc.Miller and
Higgy's former Minister of Indigenous Affairs Jake Stewart have had
lots of time to review the files I gave Andy Scott in 2004
To: Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca, David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca,
Pablo.Rodriguez@parl.gc.ca, francis.scarpaleggia@parl.gc.ca,
Steven.MacKinnon@parl.gc.ca, Marc.Miller@parl.gc.ca,
Yves.Robillard@parl.gc.ca, Angelo.Iacono@parl.gc.ca,
Annie.Koutrakis@parl.gc.ca, Emmanuella.Lambropoulos@parl.gc.ca,
Patricia.Lattanzio@parl.gc.ca, Stephane.Lauzon@parl.gc.ca,
Joel.Lightbound@parl.gc.ca, Soraya.MartinezFerrada@parl.gc.ca,
Sherry.Romanado@parl.gc.ca, Peter.Schiefke@parl.gc.ca,
Brenda.Shanahan@parl.gc.ca, Sameer.Zuberi@parl.gc.ca,
Michelle.Rempel@parl.gc.ca, Tim.Uppal@parl.gc.ca,
mike.lake@parl.gc.ca, "." <Ron.Liepert@parl.gc.ca>,
chris.warkentin@parl.gc.ca, Len.Webber@parl.gc.ca,
Arnold.Viersen@parl.gc.ca, Martin.Shields@parl.gc.ca,
blake.richards@parl.gc.ca, blaine.calkins@parl.gc.ca,
Shannon.Stubbs@parl.gc.ca, Gerald.Soroka@parl.gc.ca,
Michelle.Boutin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Info@gg.ca,
fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca, pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca,
Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca, Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca, Erin.OToole@parl.gc.ca,
john.tasker@cbc.ca, premier <premier@ontario.ca>, premier
<premier@gov.ab.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>,
PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>, premier
<premier@leg.gov.mb.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, premier
<premier@gov.pe.ca>, premier <premier@gov.yk.ca>, "Petrie, Jamie"
<JPetrie@nbpower.com>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, Norman
Traversy <traversy.n@gmail.com>, "steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>,
sheilagunnreid <sheilagunnreid@gmail.com>, info@ipolitics.ca,
oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, "freedomreport.ca"
<freedomreport.ca@gmail.com>, kingpatrick278
<kingpatrick278@gmail.com>, "jake.stewart" <jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca>,
ask@davidanber.com, david.fraser@mcinnescooper.com,
john.kulik@mcinnescooper.com
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "Katie.Telford"
<Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, "Kevin.leahy"
<Kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Bill.Blair"
<Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UtepFsiz2M&ab_channel=cpac

Question Period – February 9, 2022
3,478 watching now
Started streaming 66 minutes ago
cpac



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1azdNWbF3A&t=51s&ab_channel=DavidAmos

Me,Myself and I
356 views
Apr 2, 2013
David Amos




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1azdNWbF3A&ab_channel=DavidAmos

RCMP Sussex New Brunswick
2,405 views
Apr 5, 2013
David Amos


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6StoufDwyKM&ab_channel=RebelNews

Lawyer David Anber is helping Ottawa protesters as cops arrest,
release without charges
33,171 views
Feb 8, 2022
Rebel News
David Anber is working with The Democracy Fund to provide free advice
to protesters.
READ MORE ► https://rebelne.ws/3oy6Hvn


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZaVfEHxs30&ab_channel=PierrePoilievre

I’m running for Prime Minister to give you back control of your life.
628,609 views
Feb 5, 2022
Pierre Poilievre
179K subscribers
I’m running for Prime Minister to give you back control of your life.

Sign up now to help me replace Trudeau & restore freedom:




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Miller, Marc - Député" <Marc.Miller@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2022 18:02:40 +0000
Subject: Merci d’avoir communiqué avec nous - Thank you for contacting us
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Merci d’avoir communiqué avec le bureau de circonscription et le
bureau parlementaire de Marc Miller, député de Ville-Marie – Le
Sud-Ouest – Île-des-Sœurs.  Nous avons reçu votre courriel et nous
vous répondrons dans les plus brefs délais.
------------------

Thank you for contacting the constituency and parliamentary office of
Marc Miller, Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie – Le Sud-Ouest –
Ile-des-Soeurs.  We have received your email and our team will respond
as soon as they are able.

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Location
Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs

The Honourable Marc Miller was first elected in 2015 as the Member of
Parliament for Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs, in Montréal. He
has previously served as Minister of Indigenous Services.

Before entering politics, Minister Miller was a practising lawyer. He
specialized in mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on international
and commercial law, and worked in Montréal, Stockholm, and New York
City. Previously, he served as an infantry soldier in the Canadian
Armed Forces.

Minister Miller made history in 2017 when he delivered a statement in
the House of Commons entirely in Mohawk, marking the first time the
language had been spoken in either the House of Commons or Senate
since Confederation. He has also been a forceful advocate for
increased federal investment in affordable housing, public transit,
and the Canada Child Benefit.

Minister Miller has been involved in several charitable and pro bono
legal initiatives. He has also authored articles on constitutional and
human rights law.

Minister Miller is a graduate of the Université de Montréal, where he
earned Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science. He also
graduated from McGill University with degrees in Common Law and Civil
Law.

Minister Miller was born and raised in Montréal.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Fraser, David" <david.fraser@mcinnescooper.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2016 15:53:41 +0000
Subject: Your call
To: "motomaniac333@gmail.com" <motomaniac333@gmail.com>

David,

could you please explain what you were getting at in your call just
now? I was in the middle of something else, wasn't able to understand
it all and then the line just cut out.

Thanks,

d.
Notice This communication, including any attachments, is confidential
and may be protected by solicitor/client privilege. It is intended
only for the person or persons to whom it is addressed. If you have
received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by e-mail or
telephone at McInnes Cooper's expense. Avis Les informations contenues
dans ce courriel, y compris toute(s) pièce(s) jointe(s), sont
confidentielles et peuvent faire l'objet d'un privilège avocat-client.
Les informations sont dirigées au(x) destinataire(s) seulement. Si
vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur, veuillez en aviser l'expéditeur
par courriel ou par téléphone, aux frais de McInnes Cooper.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Kulik, John" <john.kulik@mcinnescooper.com>
Date: Thu, 18 May 2017 17:37:49 +0000
Subject: McInnes Cooper
To: "motomaniac333@gmail.com" <motomaniac333@gmail.com>,
"david.raymond.amos@gmail.com" <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>

Dear Mr. Amos:

I am General Counsel for McInnes Cooper. If you need to communicate
with our firm, please do so through me.

Thank you.

John Kulik
[McInnes Cooper]<http://www.mcinnescooper.com/>

John Kulik Q.C.
Partner & General Counsel
McInnes Cooper

tel +1 (902) 444 8571 | fax +1 (902) 425 6350

1969 Upper Water Street
Suite 1300
Purdy's Wharf Tower II Halifax, NS, B3J 2V1

asst Cathy Ohlhausen | +1 (902) 455 8215



Notice This communication, including any attachments, is confidential
and may be protected by solicitor/client privilege. It is intended
only for the person or persons to whom it is addressed. If you have
received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by e-mail or
telephone at McInnes Cooper's expense. Avis Les informations contenues
dans ce courriel, y compris toute(s) pièce(s) jointe(s), sont
confidentielles et peuvent faire l'objet d'un privilège avocat-client.
Les informations sont dirigées au(x) destinataire(s) seulement. Si
vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur, veuillez en aviser l'expéditeur
par courriel ou par téléphone, aux frais de McInnes Cooper.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2017 09:32:09 -0400
Subject: Attn Integrity Commissioner Alexandre Deschênes, Q.C.,
To: coi@gnb.ca
Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com

Good Day Sir

After I heard you speak on CBC I called your office again and managed
to speak to one of your staff for the first time

Please find attached the documents I promised to send to the lady who
answered the phone this morning. Please notice that not after the Sgt
at Arms took the documents destined to your office his pal Tanker
Malley barred me in writing with an "English" only document.

These are the hearings and the dockets in Federal Court that I
suggested that you study closely.

This is the docket in Federal Court

http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/IndexingQueries/infp_RE_info_e.php?court_no=T-1557-15&select_court=T

These are digital recordings of  the last three hearings

Dec 14th https://archive.org/details/BahHumbug

January 11th, 2016 https://archive.org/details/Jan11th2015

April 3rd, 2017

https://archive.org/details/April32017JusticeLeblancHearing


This is the docket in the Federal Court of Appeal

http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/IndexingQueries/infp_RE_info_e.php?court_no=A-48-16&select_court=All


The only hearing thus far

May 24th, 2017

https://archive.org/details/May24thHoedown


This Judge understnds the meaning of the word Integrity

Date: 20151223

Docket: T-1557-15

Fredericton, New Brunswick, December 23, 2015

PRESENT:        The Honourable Mr. Justice Bell

BETWEEN:

DAVID RAYMOND AMOS

Plaintiff

and

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

Defendant

ORDER

(Delivered orally from the Bench in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on
December 14, 2015)

The Plaintiff seeks an appeal de novo, by way of motion pursuant to
the Federal Courts Rules (SOR/98-106), from an Order made on November
12, 2015, in which Prothonotary Morneau struck the Statement of Claim
in its entirety.

At the outset of the hearing, the Plaintiff brought to my attention a
letter dated September 10, 2004, which he sent to me, in my then
capacity as Past President of the New Brunswick Branch of the Canadian
Bar Association, and the then President of the Branch, Kathleen Quigg,
(now a Justice of the New Brunswick Court of Appeal).  In that letter
he stated:

As for your past President, Mr. Bell, may I suggest that you check the
work of Frank McKenna before I sue your entire law firm including you.
You are your brother’s keeper.

Frank McKenna is the former Premier of New Brunswick and a former
colleague of mine at the law firm of McInnes Cooper. In addition to
expressing an intention to sue me, the Plaintiff refers to a number of
people in his Motion Record who he appears to contend may be witnesses
or potential parties to be added. Those individuals who are known to
me personally, include, but are not limited to the former Prime
Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper; former
Attorney General of Canada and now a Justice of the Manitoba Court of
Queen’s Bench, Vic Toews; former member of Parliament Rob Moore;
former Director of Policing Services, the late Grant Garneau; former
Chief of the Fredericton Police Force, Barry McKnight; former Staff
Sergeant Danny Copp; my former colleagues on the New Brunswick Court
of Appeal, Justices Bradley V. Green and Kathleen Quigg, and, retired
Assistant Commissioner Wayne Lang of the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police.

In the circumstances, given the threat in 2004 to sue me in my
personal capacity and my past and present relationship with many
potential witnesses and/or potential parties to the litigation, I am
of the view there would be a reasonable apprehension of bias should I
hear this motion. See Justice de Grandpré’s dissenting judgment in
Committee for Justice and Liberty et al v National Energy Board et al,
[1978] 1 SCR 369 at p 394 for the applicable test regarding
allegations of bias. In the circumstances, although neither party has
requested I recuse myself, I consider it appropriate that I do so.


AS A RESULT OF MY RECUSAL, THIS COURT ORDERS that the Administrator of
the Court schedule another date for the hearing of the motion.  There
is no order as to costs.

“B. Richard Bell”
Judge


Below after the CBC article about your concerns (I made one comment
already) you will find the text of just two of many emails I had sent
to your office over the years since I first visited it in 2006.

 I noticed that on July 30, 2009, he was appointed to the  the Court
Martial Appeal Court of Canada  Perhaps you should scroll to the
bottom of this email ASAP and read the entire Paragraph 83  of my
lawsuit now before the Federal Court of Canada?

"FYI This is the text of the lawsuit that should interest Trudeau the most

http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2015/09/v-behaviorurldefaultvmlo.html

83 The Plaintiff states that now that Canada is involved in more war
in Iraq again it did not serve Canadian interests and reputation to
allow Barry Winters to publish the following words three times over
five years after he began his bragging:

January 13, 2015
This Is Just AS Relevant Now As When I wrote It During The Debate

December 8, 2014
Why Canada Stood Tall!

Friday, October 3, 2014
Little David Amos’ “True History Of War” Canadian Airstrikes And
Stupid Justin Trudeau?


Vertias Vincit
David Raymond Amos
902 800 0369


On 8/3/17, David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> wrote:
> If want something very serious to download and laugh at as well Please
> Enjoy and share real wiretap tapes of the mob
>
> http://thedavidamosrant.blogspot.ca/2013/10/re-glen-greenwald-and-brazilian.html
>
>> http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/06/09/nsa-leak-guardian.html
>>
>> As the CBC etc yap about Yankee wiretaps and whistleblowers I must ask
>> them the obvious question AIN'T THEY FORGETTING SOMETHING????
>>
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vugUalUO8YY
>>
>> What the hell does the media think my Yankee lawyer served upon the
>> USDOJ right after I ran for and seat in the 39th Parliament baseball
>> cards?
>>
>> http://archive.org/details/ITriedToExplainItToAllMaritimersInEarly2006
>>
>> http://davidamos.blogspot.ca/2006/05/wiretap-tapes-impeach-bush.html
>>
>> http://www.archive.org/details/PoliceSurveilanceWiretapTape139
>>
>> http://archive.org/details/Part1WiretapTape143
>>
>> FEDERAL EXPRES February 7, 2006
>> Senator Arlen Specter
>> United States Senate
>> Committee on the Judiciary
>> 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
>> Washington, DC 20510
>>
>> Dear Mr. Specter:
>>
>> I have been asked to forward the enclosed tapes to you from a man
>> named, David Amos, a Canadian citizen, in connection with the matters
>> raised in the attached letter.
>>
>> Mr. Amos has represented to me that these are illegal FBI wire tap tapes.
>>
>> I believe Mr. Amos has been in contact with you about this previously.
>>
>> Very truly yours,
>> Barry A. Bachrach
>> Direct telephone: (508) 926-3403
>> Direct facsimile: (508) 929-3003
>> Email: bbachrach@bowditch.com
>>
>





On 2/9/22, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Lightbound, Joël - Député" <Joel.Lightbound@parl.gc.ca>
> Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2022 20:53:38 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: YO Erin O'Toole and Jake Stewad What Do ya
> think Joel Lightbound will finally return my calls or answer my emails
> before Trudeau The Younger gives him the boot???
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> Bonjour,
> Nous vous remercions d'avoir communiqué avec le bureau de Joël
> Lightbound, député de Louis-Hébert.
> Vous recevez ce courriel pour vous informer que votre message a été
> reçu et qu'il sera examiné le plus rapidement possible.
> En raison du volume élevé des correspondances reçues, nous ne pouvons
> répondre individuellement à chaque courriel.
> Cordialement,
> Bureau du député fédéral de Louis-Hébert
> 3700 rue du Campanile #110
> Québec QC Canada G1X 4G6
> Tél:  418 648-3244
> Fax: 418 648-3260
>
> Hello,
> Thank you for contacting the office of Joël Lightbound, Member of
> Parliament for Louis-Hébert.
> This automated response is to assure you that your message has been
> received by our office and will be reviewed as soon as possible.
> Due to the high volume of correspondence received, we are not able to
> respond personally to every inquiry.
> Best,
> Office of the federal M.P. for Louis-Hébert
> 3700 Campanile Street #110
> Québec QC Canada G1X 4G6
> Tel:  418 648-3244
> Fax: 418 648-3260
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Joly, Mélanie - M.P." <Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca>
> Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2022 20:53:39 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: YO Erin O'Toole and Jake Stewad What Do ya
> think Joel Lightbound will finally return my calls or answer my emails
> before Trudeau The Younger gives him the boot???
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> Bonjour,
>
> Nous accusons réception de votre courriel et vous remercions d'avoir
> pris le temps de nous écrire.
>
> Veuillez noter que nous recevons actuellement un volume élevé de
> courriels. Veuillez prévoir un délai dans nos réponses.
>
> Pour toute demande de renseignements concernant le Département des
> affaires étrangères, veuillez envoyer votre courriel à
> melanie.joly@international.gc.ca<mailto:melanie.joly@international.gc.ca>.
>
> Sincèrement,
> L'équipe de circonscription de l'honorable Mélanie Joly,
> Députée d'Ahuntsic-Cartierville.
>
> ***
>
> Hello,
>
> We acknowledge receipt of your email and thank you for taking the time to
> write.
>
> Please note that we are currently receiving a high volume of emails.
> This may mean a delay in our responding to you.
>
> For any inquiries related to the Department of Foreign Affairs, please
> send your email to
> melanie.joly@international.gc.ca<mailto:melanie.joly@international.gc.ca>.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> The constituency team of the Honourable Mélanie Joly,
> Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Rempel, Michelle - M.P." <Michelle.Rempel@parl.gc.ca>
> Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2022 17:24:20 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: YO Patty Baby King do ya think Trudeau The
> Younger and his minions remember my old blog titled Harper and
> Bankers? Better yet do your lawyers?
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> On behalf of the Honourable Michelle Rempel Garner, P.C., M.P. thank
> you for your email. Our office appreciates the time you took to get in
> touch with the MP. Due to the high volume of email correspondence our
> office receives, below is a guide on how your email will be responded
> to:
>
> If you are a constituent of Calgary Nose Hill:
>
> Queries regarding government programs, policies and operations take
> time to research, contact appropriate departments and collate
> information for dissemination to you. If you have provided your full
> contact details on your query, your email will be responded to as
> necessary.
>
> If your query is case related (i.e. immigration, CPP, EI, tax issues,
> etc.), consent forms will need to be filled out before your file can
> be activated. If you have not yet filled out our office’s consent
> form, a staff member will be in contact with you.
>
> If you are not a constituent of Calgary Nose Hill:
>
> If you are not a Calgary Nose Hill resident, given the high volume of
> emails we receive, your email will be reviewed and filed as
> INFORMATION. If the email is Critic portfolio in nature, it will be
> responded to as necessary.
> If you are contacting MP Rempel Garner to review your case work,
> please first contact your local MP for assistance.
> If your email is a form letter:
>
> Thank you for submitting this form letter. Due to the high volume of
> emails M.P. Rempel Garner’s office receives, we are unable to
> individually reply to form letters, particularly from non
> constituents. Form letters are template letters generated by
> organizations, webforms and other sources on a given issue. However,
> M.P. Rempel Garner does review and consider information received from
> all form letters.
>
> If you are a constituent and would like a response regarding the
> specific issue raised in your form letter, please email M.P. Rempel
> Garner’s office individually at this email address with “Constituent -
> (Insert subject)” in the subject of your email. This helps us to
> identify constituents who wish to receive a response among the
> hundreds of form letter responses our office receives on any given
> day.
>
> Again, thank you for reaching out to our office.
>
> Invites:
> If you have invited MP Rempel Garner to your event, please note that
> decisions on what events to attend are completed on a bi-monthly
> basis. As our office receives hundreds of invitations each week, our
> office will only contact you if MP Rempel Garner will be attending.
> Updates on MP Rempel Garner’s Work:
> If you wish to know what is happening in Calgary Nose Hill and the job
> MP Rempel Garner is doing for you in Ottawa, please sign up for her
> e-newsletter on her website: https://mprempel.ca/
>
> *M.P. Rempel Garner's office has a zero tolerance policy for
> threatening, abusive, or aggressive language or behaviour towards the
> Member and their staff. Phone calls, voicemails and emails containing
> threatening or abusive language will result in the termination of
> communications.
>
> Thank you again.
>
> Sincerely,
> Office of The Honourable Michelle Rempel Garner, P.C., M.P.
> Calgary Nose Hill
> Shadow Minister for Natural Resources
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario
> <Premier@ontario.ca>
> Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2022 17:26:55 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: YO Patty Baby King do ya think Trudeau The
> Younger and his minions remember my old blog titled Harper and
> Bankers? Better yet do your lawyers?
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly
> valued.
>
> You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read,
> reviewed and taken into consideration.
>
> There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
> need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
> correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
> response may take several business days.
>
> Thanks again for your email.
> ______­­
>
> Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de
> nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
>
> Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
> considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
>
> Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
> responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
> la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
> ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
>
> Merci encore pour votre courriel.
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)" <Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca>
> Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2022 17:26:56 +0000
> Subject: RE: YO Patty Baby King do ya think Trudeau The Younger and
> his minions remember my old blog titled Harper and Bankers? Better yet
> do your lawyers?
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> Hello,
>
> Thank you for taking the time to write.
>
> Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response
> to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed
> at the earliest opportunity.
>
> If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a
> Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for
> review and consideration.
>
>
> Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
>
> En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous
> informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les
> meilleurs délais.
>
> Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre
> secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel
> pour examen et considération.
>
>
> If this is a Media Request, please contact the Premier’s office at
> (506) 453-2144 or by email
> media-medias@gnb.ca<mailto:media-medias@gnb.ca>
>
> S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le
> Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144.
>
>
> Office of the Premier/Cabinet du premier ministre
> P.O Box/C. P. 6000 Fredericton New-Brunswick/Nouveau-Brunswick E3B 5H1
> Canada
> Tel./Tel. : (506) 453-2144
> Email/Courriel:
> premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca<mailto:premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "MinFinance / FinanceMin (FIN)" <minfinance-financemin@fin.gc.ca>
> Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2022 17:26:49 +0000
> Subject: Department of Finance / Ministère des Finances
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> The Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic
> correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your
> comments.
>
> Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we apologize in advance for
> any delay in responding to your enquiry. In the meantime, information
> on Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan is available on the
> Government of Canada website at
> www.canada.ca/coronavirus<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canada.ca%2Fcoronavirus&data=04%7C01%7Csebastien.charette%40fin.gc.ca%7Cffa6d93970ea4b2c71aa08d926a3829b%7Cc8d186b6faab43fb98c018a0dfa65ac1%7C0%7C0%7C637583305987294504%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=d8Fyod69B%2BItZ8Qs9n29w8oGdQKBEOnIGCVG8RXxULI%3D&reserved=0>
> or by calling 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232) or 1-833-784-4397.
>
>
> Le ministère des Finances Canada accuse réception de votre courriel.
> Nous vous assurons que vos commentaires sont les bienvenus.
>
> En raison de la fluidité de la crise de la COVID-19, il est possible
> que nous retardions à vous répondre et nous nous en excusons.
> Entre-temps, les informations au sujet du Plan d’intervention
> économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19 sont disponibles dans
> le site Web du gouvernement du Canada au
> www.canada.ca/coronavirus<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canada.ca%2Fcoronavirus&data=04%7C01%7Csebastien.charette%40fin.gc.ca%7Cffa6d93970ea4b2c71aa08d926a3829b%7Cc8d186b6faab43fb98c018a0dfa65ac1%7C0%7C0%7C637583305987294504%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=d8Fyod69B%2BItZ8Qs9n29w8oGdQKBEOnIGCVG8RXxULI%3D&reserved=0>
> ou en composant le 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232) ou le
> 1-833-784-4397.
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2022 13:24:08 -0400
> Subject: YO Patty Baby King do ya think Trudeau The Younger and his
> minions remember my old blog titled Harper and Bankers? Better yet do
> your lawyers?
> To: Melanie.Joly@parl.gc.ca, David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca,
> Pablo.Rodriguez@parl.gc.ca, francis.scarpaleggia@parl.gc.ca,
> Steven.MacKinnon@parl.gc.ca, Marc.Miller@parl.gc.ca,
> Yves.Robillard@parl.gc.ca, Angelo.Iacono@parl.gc.ca,
> Annie.Koutrakis@parl.gc.ca, Emmanuella.Lambropoulos@parl.gc.ca,
> Patricia.Lattanzio@parl.gc.ca, Stephane.Lauzon@parl.gc.ca,
> Joel.Lightbound@parl.gc.ca, Soraya.MartinezFerrada@parl.gc.ca,
> Sherry.Romanado@parl.gc.ca, Peter.Schiefke@parl.gc.ca,
> Brenda.Shanahan@parl.gc.ca, Sameer.Zuberi@parl.gc.ca,
> Michelle.Rempel@parl.gc.ca, Tim.Uppal@parl.gc.ca,
> mike.lake@parl.gc.ca, "." <Ron.Liepert@parl.gc.ca>,
> chris.warkentin@parl.gc.ca, Len.Webber@parl.gc.ca,
> Arnold.Viersen@parl.gc.ca, Martin.Shields@parl.gc.ca,
> blake.richards@parl.gc.ca, blaine.calkins@parl.gc.ca,
> Shannon.Stubbs@parl.gc.ca, Gerald.Soroka@parl.gc.ca,
> Michelle.Boutin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Info@gg.ca,
> fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca, pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca,
> Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca, Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca, Erin.OToole@parl.gc.ca,
> john.tasker@cbc.ca, premier <premier@ontario.ca>, premier
> <premier@gov.ab.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>,
> PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>, premier
> <premier@leg.gov.mb.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, premier
> <premier@gov.pe.ca>, premier <premier@gov.yk.ca>, "Petrie, Jamie"
> <JPetrie@nbpower.com>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, Norman
> Traversy <traversy.n@gmail.com>, "steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>,
> sheilagunnreid <sheilagunnreid@gmail.com>, info@ipolitics.ca,
> oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, "freedomreport.ca"
> <freedomreport.ca@gmail.com>, kingpatrick278
> <kingpatrick278@gmail.com>, "jake.stewart" <jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca>
> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "Katie.Telford"
> <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, "Kevin.leahy"
> <Kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Bill.Blair"
> <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>
>
> https://www.facebook.com/therealpatking/videos/1242175006308618
>
>
> The Real Pat King was live.
>   ·
> WELL THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA JUST CROSSED THE LINE.
>
>
> http://davidamos.blogspot.com/2006/05/harper-and-bankers.html
>
>
> Tuesday, May 16, 2006
>
> Harper and Bankers
> Just Dave
>
> May 10th, 2006
> Prime Minister Stephen Harper,
> Minister of Public Safety, Stockwell Day,
> President of the Treasury Board, John Baird,
> Ministers James Flaherty, and Vic Toews
> C/o Bill Casey MP
> 103 Albion Street South,
> Amherst, NS, B4H 2X2
>
> Franky Boy McKenna, Deputy Chair,
> John Bragg and John Thompson, Directors
> Chris Montague Legal Counsel
> C/o Jill Crosby, Bank Manager
> TD Financial Group
> 620 Main Street
> Sussex, NB, E4E 5L4
>
> W. Geoffrey Beattie, Director
> David Allgood, Legal Counsel,
> C/o Sharon Armstrong, Bank Manager
> Royal Bank of Canada
> 644 Main Street
> Sussex, NB, E4E 7H9
>
> John Manley PC, Director and
> E. Jennifer Warren, Legal Counsel
> C/o Maria Cormie, Bank Manager
> Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
> 761 Main St,
> Moncton, NB. E1C 1E5
>
> RE: Blowing the whistle on big banks and corrupt politicians too.
>
> Hey,
>
> Flaherty’s budget looming on the horizon tonight is gonna get the big
> OK from the Bloc EH? Well a mean old bike mechanic in the Maritimes
> has been waiting to chuck a wrench in the works of many a crooked
> beancounter. I just served your offices in hand some of the same
> material that Andre Arthur MP and Senator Kinsella received before the
> 39th Parliament began. I am also giving you other material and a
> political rant that they did not receive. The legal counsel of all the
> monstrous Canadian banks have shown me their arses, two for a month
> and three for almost two years. It is high time to boot you bankers
> out off bed with the corrupt politicians you depend on to cover up
> wrongs or sue you bastards too. N’est pas?
>
>
>
>
> On 2/8/22, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
>>  Deja Vu Anyone???
>>
>>
>>
>> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/stewart-defends-trucker-support-1.6340068
>>
>>
>> New Brunswick MP defends his support for truckers protesting COVID rules
>> Conservative Jake Stewart says he didn't see any bad behaviour by
>> protesters in Ottawa
>>
>> Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Feb 07, 2022 7:00 AM AT
>>
>>
>> 2530 Comments
>> Commenting is now closed for this story.
>>
>>
>> Your account has been banned until February 8, 2023. Reason: We have
>> banned this account for 12 months because we believe it is in
>> violation of our Terms of Use, specifically repeated off topic and
>> uncivil comments. For more information, please visit:
>> http://cbc.ca/submissions .
>>
>>
>> David Amos
>> Welcome to the circus
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> David Amos
>> Methinks Higgy enjoyed the circus today and no doubt chuckled as much
>> as I did when he saw the photo of a wannabe PM sitting on the trailer
>> with his former leadership opponent and couple of truckers from the
>> liberal version of "The Place to Be" N'esy Pas?
>>
>>
>> Kyle Woodman
>> Reply to @David Amos: me thinks Higgs is not above licking the boots
>> of Mr. Poilievre. N’est pas?
>>
>>
>> David Amos
>> Reply to @Kyle Woodman: Methinks everybody knows he with the gold
>> makes the rules Hence if Poilievre becomes the leader of the blue
>> coats Higgy will lick Jake's jack boots with relish N'esy Pas?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Bob Ols
>> Content deactivated
>> Perhaps those who don't understand our right to protest should listen
>> to Brian Peckford's explanation of our Charter of Rights & Freedoms.
>> He was one of the authors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iU1__TCbhs
>>
>>
>> Bob Smith
>> Content deactivated
>> Reply to @Bob Ols: Charter doesn't protect an individual from breaking
>> the law. Fact.
>>
>>
>> George Burton
>> Content deactivated
>> Reply to @Bob Ols: They do not have the right to infringe upon others'
>> freedoms, as they are doing through their 100-decibel honking,
>> assaults upon medics and homeless shelter volunteers, and blocking
>> traffic throughout Ottawa for days.
>>
>>
>> Dave Mack
>> Content deactivated
>> Reply to @Bob Ols: Brian Peckford had a long and colorful history.
>> Many people have accused him of many things. Nobody ever accused him
>> of being same47 minutes ago
>>
>>
>> Dave Mack
>> Content deactivated
>> Reply to @Dave Mack: being sane. He has unstable then. He's more so now
>>
>>
>> David Amos
>> Content deactivated
>> Reply to @Bob Ols: Amen
>>
>>
>> Bob Ols
>> Content deactivated
>> Reply to @Dave Mack: Again Dave, you are on one side and I am on the
>> other. However given Mr. Peckford's long list of public service,
>> calling him unstable is unwarranted.
>>
>>
>> Bob Ols
>> Content deactivated
>> Reply to @Bob Smith: The vast majority of these people protesting are
>> not breaking any laws. Sometimes freedom is a hard fought battle. None
>> of us got anything for free.
>>
>>
>> https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-mp-politicization-pandemic-1.6343730
>>
>> Liberal MP accuses his own government of 'politicized' approach to the
>> pandemic
>>
>>
>> 'The tone and the policies of my government have changed drastically,'
>> Quebec MP Joël Lightbound says
>> John Paul Tasker · CBC News · Posted: Feb 08, 2022 12:51 PM ET | Last
>> Updated: 2 hours ago
>> Liberal MP for Louis-Hebert Joel Lightbound speaks about COVID
>> restrictions during a news conference, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 in
>> Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
>>
>> Liberal Quebec MP Joël Lightbound says he's uncomfortable with the
>> federal government's handling of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, saying
>> its pandemic response has become "politicized" and "divisive."
>>
>> Pointing to more than a dozen developed countries that have started to
>> do away with restrictions already, Lightbound said Tuesday it's
>> reasonable to rethink Canada's COVID-19 approach as it becomes
>> increasingly clear that the world will be dealing with this virus for
>> years to come.
>>
>> Lightbound said people who question existing policies should not be
>> "demonized" by their prime minister.
>>
>> "I can't help but notice with regret that both the tone and the
>> policies of my government have changed drastically since the last
>> election campaign. It went from a more positive approach to one that
>> stigmatizes and divides people," Lightbound said.
>>
>>     Canada needs to adopt a 'more sustainable' approach to COVID-19, Tam
>> says
>>
>>     'It has to stop': Trudeau accuses protesters of blockading
>> 'democracy' during Commons debate
>>
>>     Court grants injunction to silence honking in downtown Ottawa for 10
>> days
>>
>> Lightbound said the Liberal government's decision to put vaccines at
>> the centre of the political debate risks undermining public trust in
>> the country's public health institutions.
>>
>> "It's becoming harder and harder to know when public health stops and
>> where politics begins," he said. "It's time to stop dividing Canadians
>> and pitting one part of the population against another."
>>
>> WATCH: Liberal MP says he's 'uncomfortable' with politicization of
>> vaccines, pandemic
>> Liberal MP says he's 'uncomfortable' with politicization of vaccines,
>> pandemic
>> 2 hours ago
>> Duration 1:50
>> Liberal MP Joel Lightbound is speaking out against provincial and
>> federal vaccine mandates and COVID-19 policies, many of which were
>> implemented by his party. 1:50
>>
>> Although he's criticizing the government's approach, Lightbound said
>> he has no desire to leave the Liberal caucus.
>>
>> Lightbound — a former parliamentary secretary to the minister of
>> finance —  said he hopes his comments will push Prime Minister Justin
>> Trudeau and his cabinet to "adapt to the changing reality of the
>> pandemic and of the world."
>> Ottawa must offer a 'roadmap,' MP says
>>
>> Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill, Lightbound said
>> COVID-19-related restrictions have wreaked havoc for too long and the
>> federal government needs to provide some sort of "roadmap" for lifting
>> pandemic measures, such as the strict limits on travel. He said
>> measures that were reasonable in a previous phase of the pandemic
>> should not be "normalized with no end in sight."
>>
>> While he didn't call for an immediate end to all public health
>> measures, Lightbound said the federal government should establish
>> "clear and measurable targets" for lifting pandemic measures to offer
>> hope to Canadians tired of living with some of the most restrictive
>> rules in the developed world.
>>
>> Lightbound said the federal government should heed the advice of
>> experts like Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer,
>> and "reassess" pandemic programs like vaccine mandates once the
>> Omicron wave is under control.
>> Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam is seen via
>> videoconference as Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos looks on during
>> a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic and the omicron variant in
>> Ottawa on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
>>
>> Last week, Tam said the country needs to find a more "sustainable" way
>> to deal with the pandemic and future variants of the virus.
>>
>> Lightbound said the country's leaders can't lose sight of just how
>> damaging restrictions like lockdowns have been for many aspects of
>> daily life.
>>
>> "A population's health, it's kind of like a pie and Omicron is but a
>> slice of that pie. Economic health, social health and mental health
>> must also be accounted for," he said.
>>
>> The Quebec MP said the government's hard line on the vaccine mandate
>> for cross-border truckers is not based on science. Lightbound said
>> it's become a "wedge" issue designed to score political points against
>> the government's opponents.
>>
>> Echoing concerns raised by industry groups like the Canadian Chamber
>> of Commerce and the Retail Council of Canada, Lightbound said the
>> policy is too disruptive to the country's supply chains and pushes up
>> the price of goods.
>>
>> Prime Minister Trudeau has strongly defended the policy, saying a wave
>> of COVID-19 cases is doing more to disrupt Canada's supply chains than
>> any vaccine mandate could.
>> People stand in the Ottawa anti-pandemic rule protest 'red zone' in
>> front of Parliament Hill on Feb. 8, 2022. (Simon Lasalle/Radio-Canada)
>>
>> While he questioned the usefulness of the vaccine mandate, Lightbound
>> condemned the ongoing demonstration in Ottawa.
>>
>> "I have absolutely no sympathy for them," he said of the convoy. "It's
>> time to stop the occupation. It's time for truckers to leave."
>>
>> Lightbound also said the federal government should immediately enter
>> discussions with the provinces and territories about increasing the
>> Canada Health Transfer. He said Ottawa should focus its financial
>> firepower on the root cause of lockdowns and restrictions: the
>> country's limited hospital capacity.
>> ABOUT THE AUTHOR
>> John Paul Tasker
>>
>> Parliamentary Bureau
>>
>> J.P. Tasker is a senior writer in the CBC's parliamentary bureau in
>> Ottawa. He can be reached at john.tasker@cbc.ca.
>>
>>     Follow J.P. on Twitter
>>
>> CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
>>
>> On 12/6/21, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> https://ipolitics.ca/2021/12/01/ipolitics-am-throne-speech-debate-a-vote-on-blocs-response/
>>>
>>> iPolitics AM: More throne-speech debate; vote on Bloc’s response
>>> By Kady O'Malley. Published on Dec 1, 2021 6:01am
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "O'Toole, Erin - M.P." <Erin.OToole@parl.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:09 +0000
>>> Subject: Automatic reply: Oh My My I read the news in CBC again today
>>> about Erin O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> On behalf of the Hon. Erin O’Toole, thank you for contacting the
>>> Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.
>>>
>>> Mr. O’Toole greatly values feedback and input from Canadians.  We read
>>> and review every incoming e-mail.  Please note that this account
>>> receives a high volume of e-mails.  We reply to e-mails as quickly as
>>> possible.
>>>
>>> If you are a constituent of Mr. O’Toole’s in Durham with an urgent
>>> matter please contact his constituency office at:
>>>
>>> Office of Erin O’Toole, M.P.
>>> 54 King Street East, Suite 103
>>> Bowmanville, ON L1C 1N3
>>> Tel: (905) 697-1699 or Toll-Free (866) 436-1141
>>>
>>> Once again, thank you for writing.
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Au nom de l’hon. Erin O’Toole, merci de communiquer avec le Bureau du
>>> chef de l’Opposition officielle.
>>>
>>> M. O’Toole apprécie beaucoup le point de vue et les commentaires des
>>> Canadiens et des Canadiennes. Nous lisons tous les courriels que nous
>>> recevons. Veuillez noter que ce compte reçoit beaucoup de courriels.
>>> Nous y répondons le plus rapidement possible.
>>>
>>> Si vous êtes un électeur ou une électrice de M. O’Toole dans la
>>> circonscription de Durham et que vous avez une question urgente,
>>> veuillez communiquer avec son bureau de circonscription, au :
>>>
>>> Bureau d’Erin O’Toole, député
>>> 54, rue King Est, bureau 103
>>> Bowmanville (Ontario) L1C 1N3
>>> Tél. : (905) 697-1699 ou sans frais : (866) 436-1141
>>>
>>> Encore une fois merci d’avoir pris le temps d’écrire.
>>>
>>> Veuillez agréer nos salutations distinguées,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Bureau du chef de l’Opposition officielle
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "Shanahan, Brenda - M.P." <Brenda.Shanahan@parl.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:12 +0000
>>> Subject: Automatic reply: Oh My My I read the news in CBC again today
>>> about Erin O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Bonjour / Hello
>>> Merci d'avoir ecrit a la deputee Brenda Shanahan. Votre courriel sera
>>> lu avec soin et recevra toute l'attention voulue.
>>>
>>> Thank you for writing to MP Brenda Shanahan. Your email will be read
>>> with care and will receive every consideration.
>>>
>>> Bureau de | Office of Brenda Shanahan
>>> Deputee | MP, Chateauguay-Lacolle (QC)
>>>
>>> Bureau | Office : 450-691-7044
>>> Fax : 450-691-3114
>>> Brenda.Shanahan@parl.gc.ca<mailto:Brenda.Shanahan@parl.gc.ca>
>>> 253, boul. D’Anjou
>>> Chateauguay QC  J6J 2R4
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "Uppal, Tim - M.P." <Tim.Uppal@parl.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:12 +0000
>>> Subject: Automatic reply: Oh My My I read the news in CBC again today
>>> about Erin O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Hello -
>>>
>>> Thank you for contacting the office of MP Tim Uppal.
>>>
>>> Please accept this automatic response as confirmation that your email
>>> has been received. Your message is important to us and we will do our
>>> best to respond to you as soon as possible. Our office may be unable
>>> to respond to your message immediately, as we are receiving a higher
>>> than normal volume of correspondence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We
>>> will endeavor to respond to all individual emails in a timely manner.
>>>
>>> Thank you for your patience as we work towards answering your
>>> correspondence.
>>>
>>> Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact our office.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>>
>>> Office of Hon. Tim S. Uppal
>>> Member of Parliament - Edmonton Mill Woods
>>> Caucus-Party Liaison for Canada's Conservatives
>>> Ottawa Office: 613-992-1013
>>> Edmonton Office: 780-497-3524
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "Lightbound, Joël - Député" <Joel.Lightbound@parl.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:12 +0000
>>> Subject: Automatic reply: Oh My My I read the news in CBC again today
>>> about Erin O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Bonjour,
>>> Nous vous remercions d'avoir communiqué avec le bureau de Joël
>>> Lightbound, député de Louis-Hébert.
>>> Vous recevez ce courriel pour vous informer que votre message a été
>>> reçu et qu'il sera examiné le plus rapidement possible.
>>> En raison du volume élevé des correspondances reçues, nous ne pouvons
>>> répondre individuellement à chaque courriel.
>>> Cordialement,
>>> Bureau du député fédéral de Louis-Hébert
>>> 3700 rue du Campanile #110
>>> Québec QC Canada G1X 4G6
>>> Tél:  418 648-3244
>>> Fax: 418 648-3260
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>  Thank you for contacting the office of Joël Lightbound, Member of
>>> Parliament for Louis-Hébert.
>>> This automated response is to assure you that your message has been
>>> received by our office and will be reviewed as soon as possible.
>>> Due to the high volume of correspondence received, we are not able to
>>> respond personally to every inquiry. Please do not hesitate to contact
>>> our office at the coordinates below should you have any questions
>>> regarding the status of your query.
>>> Best,
>>> Office of the federal M.P. for Louis-Hébert
>>> 3700 Campanile Street #110
>>> Québec QC Canada G1X 4G6
>>> Tel:  418 648-3244
>>> Fax: 418 648-3260
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "Soroka, Gerald - M.P." <Gerald.Soroka@parl.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:09 +0000
>>> Subject: Automatic reply: Oh My My I read the news in CBC again today
>>> about Erin O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Thank you for your email. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time
>>> to write. I have received your message and will review it as soon as
>>> possible.
>>> Due to the substantial volume of correspondence, please allow three
>>> business days at a minimum for a response.  Some replies, where
>>> research must be done, or where my team must liaise with a federal
>>> department, may take longer.
>>> If you are a Yellowhead constituent please provide me with your postal
>>> code if you haven't already done so. Constituent emails are
>>> prioritized for response.  If I haven't gotten back to you within five
>>> business days, please accept my apologies in advance and feel free to
>>> follow up.
>>> Communicating with constituents is a priority for me. As such, if you
>>> are on Facebook please consider 'liking' my page to stay up to date on
>>> my work as your Member of Parliament:
>>> https://www.facebook.com/GeraldSorokamp
>>> Due to the volume of correspondence I receive, I may not be able to
>>> respond personally to form letters, or to emails from
>>> non-constituents.
>>> Thank you again for writing.
>>>
>>>
>>> Gerald Soroka, MP
>>> Yellowhead
>>>
>>> Room 313, Justice Building
>>> HOUSE OF COMMONS
>>> OTTAWA ON  K1A 0A6
>>> (p) 613-992-1653
>>> (f) 613-992-3459
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "Rempel, Michelle - M.P." <Michelle.Rempel@parl.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:12 +0000
>>> Subject: Automatic reply: Oh My My I read the news in CBC again today
>>> about Erin O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> On behalf of the Honourable Michelle Rempel Garner, P.C., M.P. thank
>>> you for your email. Our office appreciates the time you took to get in
>>> touch with the MP. Due to the high volume of email correspondence our
>>> office receives, below is a guide on how your email will be responded
>>> to:
>>>
>>> If you are a constituent of Calgary Nose Hill:
>>>
>>> Queries regarding government programs, policies and operations take
>>> time to research, contact appropriate departments and collate
>>> information for dissemination to you. If you have provided your full
>>> contact details on your query, a response will be forthcoming.
>>>
>>> If your query is case related (i.e. immigration, CPP, EI, tax issues,
>>> etc.), consent forms will need to be filled out before your file can
>>> be activated. If you have not yet filled out our office’s consent
>>> form, a staff member will be in contact with you.
>>> If you are not a constituent of Calgary Nose Hill:
>>>
>>> If you are not a Calgary Nose Hill resident, given the high volume of
>>> emails we receive, your email will be reviewed and filed as
>>> INFORMATION. If the email is Critic portfolio in nature, it will be
>>> responded to as necessary.
>>> If you are contacting MP Rempel Garner to review your case work,
>>> please first contact your local MP for assistance.
>>> If your email is a form letter:
>>>
>>> Thank you for submitting this form letter. Due to the high volume of
>>> emails M.P. Rempel Garner’s office receives, we are unable to
>>> individually reply to form letters, particularly from non
>>> constituents. Form letters are template letters generated by
>>> organizations, webforms and other sources on a given issue. However,
>>> M.P. Rempel Garner does review and consider information received from
>>> all form letters.
>>>
>>> If you are a constituent and would like a response regarding the
>>> specific issue raised in your form letter, please email M.P. Rempel
>>> Garner’s office individually at this email address with “Constituent -
>>> (Insert subject)” in the subject of your email. This helps us to
>>> identify constituents who wish to receive a response among the
>>> hundreds of form letter responses our office receives on any given
>>> day.
>>>
>>> Again, thank you for reaching out to our office.
>>>
>>> Invites:
>>> If you have invited MP Rempel Garner to your event, please note that
>>> decisions on what events to attend are completed on a bi-monthly
>>> basis. As our office receives hundreds of invitations each week, our
>>> office will only contact you if MP Rempel Garner will be attending.
>>> Updates on MP Rempel Garner’s Work:
>>> If you wish to know what is happening in Calgary Nose Hill and the job
>>> MP Rempel Garner is doing for you in Ottawa, please sign up for her
>>> e-newsletter on her website: https://mprempel.ca/
>>>
>>> Thank you again.
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Office of The Honourable Michelle Rempel Garner, P.C., M.P.
>>> Calgary Nose Hill
>>> Shadow Minister for Natural Resources
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "Liepert, Ron - M.P." <Ron.Liepert@parl.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:13 +0000
>>> Subject: Automatic reply: Oh My My I read the news in CBC again today
>>> about Erin O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Thank you for your email.
>>>
>>> As the Member of Parliament for Calgary Signal Hill, my first priority
>>> is communicating with my constituents. If you are a constituent in
>>> Calgary Signal Hill, please provide your postal code if you have not
>>> already done so.
>>>
>>> Please allow my staff and I five business days to respond to your
>>> message. Some responses, where research must be done, or where we must
>>> liaise with a federal department, may take longer. If we haven't
>>> gotten back to you within five business days, please accept my
>>> apologies in advance and feel free to follow up.
>>>
>>> Due to the significant volume of correspondence I receive, I cannot
>>> respond personally to form letters, or to emails from
>>> non-constituents.
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>>
>>> Ron Liepert, MP
>>>
>>> Calgary Signal Hill
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "Schiefke, Peter - Député" <Peter.Schiefke@parl.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:13 +0000
>>> Subject: Automatic reply: Oh My My I read the news in CBC again today
>>> about Erin O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> -English Follows -
>>>
>>> Bonjour,
>>>
>>> Nous vous remercions d’avoir contacté le bureau de Peter Schiefke. Par
>>> le présent courriel, nous confirmons la bonne réception de votre
>>> correspondance. ‎Votre demande sera traitée dans les meilleurs délais.
>>>
>>> Je vous prie d'agréer, l'expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
>>>
>>> Bureau de Peter Schiefke,
>>>
>>> Député de Vaudreuil-Soulanges
>>>
>>> -------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Thank you for contacting the office of Peter Schiefke, Member of
>>> Parliament for Vaudreuil-Soulanges. This e-mail acknowledges receipt
>>> of your correspondence, which will be processed as soon as possible.
>>>
>>> Kind regards,
>>>
>>> Office of Peter Schiefke
>>>
>>> Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil-Soulanges
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "Martinez Ferrada, Soraya - Députée"
>>> <Soraya.MartinezFerrada@parl.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:13 +0000
>>> Subject: Réponse automatique : Oh My My I read the news in CBC again
>>> today about Erin O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Bonjour,
>>>
>>> J’accuse réception de votre courriel et je vous remercie de m’avoir
>>> écrit. Mon équipe et moi y apporterons toute l'attention requise dans
>>> les meilleurs délais.
>>>
>>> Pour les citoyennes et citoyens d’Hochelaga, s’il y a une urgence,
>>> n’hésitez pas à m’appeler directement au :
>>>
>>> 514-283-2655.
>>>
>>> Je vous invite également à vous abonner à ma page Facebook de députée
>>> pour des mises à jour régulières et des détails sur les mesures
>>> fédérales :
>>> www.facebook.com/SorayaMartinezFerrada<http://www.facebook.com/SorayaMartinezFerrada>
>>>
>>> Je vous souhaite une bonne journée,
>>>
>>> Soraya Martinez Ferrada
>>> Députée fédérale d’Hochelaga
>>> Tél. : 514-283-2655
>>>
>>> sorayamartinezferrada.ca <https://sorayamartinezferrada.ca/>
>>>
>>> INFO COVID :
>>> https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/maladies/maladie-coronavirus-covid-19.html
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario
>>> <Premier@ontario.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:11:47 +0000
>>> Subject: Automatic reply: Oh My My I read the news in CBC again today
>>> about Erin O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly
>>> valued.
>>>
>>> You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read,
>>> reviewed and taken into consideration.
>>>
>>> There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
>>> need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
>>> correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
>>> response may take several business days.
>>>
>>> Thanks again for your email.
>>> ______­­
>>>
>>> Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de
>>> nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
>>>
>>> Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
>>> considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
>>>
>>> Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
>>> responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
>>> la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
>>> ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
>>>
>>> Merci encore pour votre courriel.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)" <Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:12:02 +0000
>>> Subject: RE: Oh My My I read the news in CBC again today about Erin
>>> O'Toole versus Shannon Stubbs Deja Vu Anyone???
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> Thank you for taking the time to write.
>>>
>>> Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response
>>> to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed
>>> at the earliest opportunity.
>>>
>>> If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a
>>> Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for
>>> review and consideration.
>>>
>>> Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
>>>
>>> En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous
>>> informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les
>>> meilleurs délais.
>>>
>>> Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre
>>> secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel
>>> pour examen et considération.
>>>
>>> If this is a Media Request, please contact the Premier’s office at
>>> (506) 453-2144 or by email
>>> media-medias@gnb.ca<mailto:media-medias@gnb.ca>
>>>
>>> S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le
>>> Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144.
>>>
>>>
>>> Office of the Premier/Cabinet du premier ministre
>>> P.O Box/C. P. 6000 Fredericton New-Brunswick/Nouveau-Brunswick E3B 5H1
>>> Canada
>>> Tel./Tel. : (506) 453-2144
>>> Email/Courriel:
>>> premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca<mailto:premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "MinFinance / FinanceMin (FIN)" <minfinance-financemin@fin.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:11:51 +0000
>>> Subject: Department of Finance / Ministère des Finances
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> The Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic
>>> correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your
>>> comments.
>>>
>>> Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we apologize in advance for
>>> any delay in responding to your enquiry. In the meantime, information
>>> on Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan is available on the
>>> Government of Canada website at
>>> www.canada.ca/coronavirus<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canada.ca%2Fcoronavirus&data=04%7C01%7Csebastien.charette%40fin.gc.ca%7Cffa6d93970ea4b2c71aa08d926a3829b%7Cc8d186b6faab43fb98c018a0dfa65ac1%7C0%7C0%7C637583305987294504%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=d8Fyod69B%2BItZ8Qs9n29w8oGdQKBEOnIGCVG8RXxULI%3D&reserved=0>
>>> or by calling 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232) or 1-833-784-4397.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Le ministère des Finances Canada accuse réception de votre courriel.
>>> Nous vous assurons que vos commentaires sont les bienvenus.
>>>
>>> En raison de la fluidité de la crise de la COVID-19, il est possible
>>> que nous retardions à vous répondre et nous nous en excusons.
>>> Entre-temps, les informations au sujet du Plan d’intervention
>>> économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19 sont disponibles dans
>>> le site Web du gouvernement du Canada au
>>> www.canada.ca/coronavirus<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canada.ca%2Fcoronavirus&data=04%7C01%7Csebastien.charette%40fin.gc.ca%7Cffa6d93970ea4b2c71aa08d926a3829b%7Cc8d186b6faab43fb98c018a0dfa65ac1%7C0%7C0%7C637583305987294504%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=d8Fyod69B%2BItZ8Qs9n29w8oGdQKBEOnIGCVG8RXxULI%3D&reserved=0>
>>> ou en composant le 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232) ou le
>>> 1-833-784-4397.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: "Miller, Marc - Député" <Marc.Miller@parl.gc.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:12 +0000
>>> Subject: Merci d’avoir communiqué avec nous - Thank you for contacting
>>> us
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Merci d’avoir communiqué avec le bureau de circonscription et le
>>> bureau parlementaire de Marc Miller, député de Ville-Marie – Le
>>> Sud-Ouest – Île-des-Sœurs.  Nous avons reçu votre courriel et nous
>>> vous répondrons dans les plus brefs délais.
>>> ------------------
>>>
>>> Thank you for contacting the constituency and parliamentary office of
>>> Marc Miller, Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie – Le Sud-Ouest –
>>> Ile-des-Soeurs.  We have received your email and our team will respond
>>> as soon as they are able.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:04 +0000
>>> Subject: Thank you for your email
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>>
>>> This is to acknowledge that your email has been received by the Office
>>> of the Premier.
>>>
>>> We appreciate the time you have taken to write.
>>>
>>>
>>> NOTICE:  This e-mail was intended for a specific person.  If it has
>>> reached you by mistake, please delete it and advise me by return
>>> e-mail.  Any privilege associated with this information is not waived.
>>> Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.
>>>
>>> Avis: Ce message est confidentiel, peut être protégé par le secret
>>> professionnel et est à l'usage exclusif de son destinataire. Il est
>>> strictement interdit à toute autre personne de le diffuser, le
>>> distribuer ou le reproduire. Si le destinataire ne peut être joint ou
>>> vous est inconnu, veuillez informer l'expéditeur par courrier
>>> électronique immédiatement et effacer ce message et en détruire toute
>>> copie. Merci de votre cooperation.
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: Premier <PREMIER@novascotia.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:09 +0000
>>> Subject: Thank you for your email
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Thank you for your email to Premier Houston. This is an automatic
>>> confirmation your message has been received.
>>>
>>> As we are currently experiencing higher than normal volumes of
>>> correspondence, there may be delays in the response time for
>>> correspondence identified as requiring a response.
>>>
>>> We recognize that many Nova Scotians have concerns about COVID-19. If
>>> you are looking for the most up-to-date information, we encourage you
>>> to visit:
>>> novascotia.ca/coronavirus<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnovascotia.ca%2Fcoronavirus%2F&data=04%7C01%7CCathy.Williams%40novascotia.ca%7C7f853ddb9c444d16e82d08d993067f26%7C8eb23313ce754345a56a297a2412b4db%7C0%7C0%7C637702478367672291%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=w%2BOsM5R7MFVxiqyjO2BAf6%2Bhyqwk%2FlhJgFPZiux%2FdlI%3D&reserved=0>
>>> or
>>> canada.ca/coronavirus<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcanada.ca%2Fcoronavirus&data=04%7C01%7CCathy.Williams%40novascotia.ca%7C7f853ddb9c444d16e82d08d993067f26%7C8eb23313ce754345a56a297a2412b4db%7C0%7C0%7C637702478367682286%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=VcH333SLZ540PWKlS5TJm0KVV0P8TdSq5MAG%2FwTfSV0%3D&reserved=0>.
>>> You can also call the toll-free information line at 1-833-784-4397.
>>>
>>> If you are experiencing symptoms, please visit
>>> https://811.novascotia.ca<https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2F811.novascotia.ca%2F&data=04%7C01%7CCathy.Williams%40novascotia.ca%7C7f853ddb9c444d16e82d08d993067f26%7C8eb23313ce754345a56a297a2412b4db%7C0%7C0%7C637702478367692284%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=0EfyFucV6pzKpjejXy0yxg1gQGxY%2BycmQ5AH9gF0VqU%3D&reserved=0>/
>>> and use the COVID-19 online self-assessment tool, which will help you
>>> determine if you need to get tested. If you don’t have internet
>>> access, call 811.
>>>
>>> Thank you,
>>>
>>> Premier’s Correspondence Team
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: Premier <PREMIER@leg.gov.mb.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:14 +0000
>>> Subject: Auto Reply Premier’s Secretariat
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> On behalf of The Honourable Heather Stefanson, Premier of Manitoba, we
>>> would like to acknowledge receipt of your email.
>>>
>>> Please note that this is an automated response to let you know that
>>> your email has been received and that it will be reviewed at the
>>> earliest opportunity.
>>>
>>>  Thank you for taking the time to write.
>>>
>>> Premier’s Correspondence Team
>>> Executive Council
>>> Government of Manitoba
>>>
>>> *******************************
>>>
>>> Au nom du premier ministre du Manitoba, Heather Stefanson, nous
>>> accusons réception de votre courriel.
>>>
>>>  Veuillez noter qu’il s’agit d’une réponse automatisée pour vous
>>> informer que votre courriel a été reçu et qu’il sera examiné dans les
>>> meilleurs délais.
>>>
>>>  Nous vous remercions d’avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
>>>
>>> Équipe chargée de la correspondance du premier ministre
>>> Conseil exécutif
>>> Gouvernement du Manitoba
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: Info <Info@gg.ca>
>>> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2021 01:10:14 +0000
>>> Subject: OSGG General Inquiries / Demande de renseignements généraux au
>>> BSGG
>>> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>
>>> Thank you for writing to the Office of the Secretary to the Governor
>>> General. We appreciate hearing your views and suggestions. Responses
>>> to specific inquiries can be expected within three weeks. Please note
>>> that general comments and opinions may not receive a response.
>>>
>>> *****
>>>
>>> Nous vous remercions d'avoir écrit au Bureau du secrétaire du
>>> gouverneur général. Nous aimons prendre connaissance de vos points de
>>> vue et de vos suggestions. Il faut allouer trois semaines pour
>>> recevoir une réponse à une demande précise. Veuillez noter que nous ne
>>> donnons pas nécessairement suite aux opinions et aux commentaires
>>> généraux.
>>>
>>>
>>> IMPORTANT NOTICE: This message may contain confidential or privileged
>>> information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are
>>> not the intended recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or
>>> copy this email. Please notify the sender immediately if you have
>>> received this email by mistake and delete it from your system.
>>>
>>> AVIS IMPORTANT : Le présent courriel peut contenir des renseignements
>>> confidentiels et est strictement réservé à l’usage de la personne à
>>> qui il est destiné. Si vous n’êtes pas la personne visée, vous ne
>>> devez pas diffuser, distribuer ou copier ce courriel. Merci de nous en
>>> aviser immédiatement et de supprimer ce courriel s’il vous a été
>>> envoyé par erreur.
>>>
>>
>
 
 

Hey Higgy Methinks Mr Jones knows why CBC did an early shut down of the comment section about my neighbours and their support of the truckers Nesy Pas?

 
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>    Wed, Feb 16, 2022 at 1:53 AM
To: patrickking@canada-unity.com, james@canada-unity.com, novaxpass@outlook.com, martin@canada-unity.com, tdundas10@gmail.com, jlaface@gmail.com, davesteenburg269@gmail.com, brown_tm3@yahoo.ca, leannemb <leannemb@protonmail.com>, harold@jonkertrucking.com, keepcanada@protonmail.com, andyjohanna01@hotmail.com, janiebpelchat@icloud.com, janetseto@protonmail.com, johndoppenberg@icloud.com, stiessen1979@gmail.com, 77cordoba@outlook.com, pierrette.ringuette@sen.parl.gc.ca, Patrick.Brazeau@sen.parl.gc.ca, george.furey@sen.parl.gc.ca, larry.campbell@sen.parl.gc.ca, Bev.Busson@sen.parl.gc.ca, info@lionelmedia.com, liveneedtoknow@gmail.com, tips@steeltruth.com, media@steeltruth.com, press@deepcapture.com, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, bbachrach <bbachrach@bachrachlaw.net>, "Bill.Blair" <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "barbara.massey" <barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, Norman Traversy <traversy.n@gmail.com>, news <news@dailygleaner.com>, nobyrne <nobyrne@unb.ca>, Nathalie Sturgeon <sturgeon.nathalie@brunswicknews.com>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, tracy@uncoverdc.com, James@jamesfetzer.com, editor@americanthinker.com, jeromecorsi6554 <jeromecorsi6554@gmail.com>, susan@susanbradford.org
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, nharris@maverick-media.ca, nouvelle <nouvelle@acadienouvelle.com>, news-tips <news-tips@nytimes.com>

---------- Original message ----------
From: dana Metcalfe <danajmetcalfe@icloud.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2022 17:27:16 -0500
Subject: Re: Hey Dana I watched you and your buddies yapping in Ottwwa
for weeks and just shook my head but last night you took the cake
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Just trying to do my part ❤️

Dana Metcalfe


---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2022 19:32:41 -0400
Subject: Hey Higgy Methinks Mr Jones knows why CBC did an early shut
down of the comment section about my neighbours and their support of
the truckers Nesy Pas?
To: ted@daretoquestionvaccination.com, "hugh.flemming"
<hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, danajmetcalfe@icloud.com, premier
<premier@gov.nl.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, Office of the
Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.pe.ca>, PREMIER
<PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, premier <premier@gov.bc.ca>, premier
<premier@leg.gov.mb.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, premier
<premier@gov.yk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nt.ca>, "pierre.poilievre"
<pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, jake.stewart@parl.gc.ca, "Mark.Blakely"
<Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "marc-etienne.bernard"
<marc-etienne.bernard@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Marco.Mendicino"
<Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, louis.leger@gnb.ca, "martin.gaudet"
<martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>,
"Roger.Brown" <Roger.Brown@fredericton.ca>, "robert.mckee"
<robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, April LaJune <april@aprillajune.com>,
"andrea.anderson-mason" <andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca>, andrew
<andrew@frankmagazine.ca>, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, Norman
Traversy <traversy.n@gmail.com>, OIGCounsel <OIGCounsel@oig.treas.gov>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, sales@easykleen.com,
"Katie.Telford" <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, kingpatrick278
<kingpatrick278@gmail.com>, "freedomreport.ca"
<freedomreport.ca@gmail.com>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>,
premier <premier@ontario.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, "Brenda.Lucki"
<Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Bill.Blair" <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2022/02/nb-business-owner-says-he-donated-75000.html

Tuesday, 15 February 2022

N.B. business owner says he donated $75,000 to Freedom Convoy

 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-sussex-corner-business-convoy-donation-1.6351642

N.B. business owner says he donated $75,000 to Freedom Convoy

A database released publicly lists Brad Howland's donation as the
second-highest amount

Jacques Poitras, Karissa Donkin · CBC News · Posted: Feb 14, 2022 7:42 PM AT

Brad Howland says he donated $75,000 to the Freedom Convoy that has
gridlocked the streets of Ottawa around Parliament Hill. (Facebook)

A business owner from the southern New Brunswick village of Sussex
Corner has confirmed he made what appears to be one of the largest
donations to the Freedom Convoy that has gridlocked the streets of
Ottawa around Parliament Hill.

In a written statement Monday afternoon, Brad Howland, president of
the pressure-washing company Easy Kleen, called the protest "a
beautiful, legal, peaceful protest," which he visited on the weekend.

"To see the love, peace, and unity that many of us have longed for,
for a long time — It was an experience of a lifetime," he wrote.

"This will go down in the history books of our nation."

In fact, the protest has forced many downtown businesses to close and
violates several laws.

    What injunction? Questions arise around disregard for court order

It's now the subject of the federal Emergencies Act, which Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau invoked on Monday.

CBC News has reviewed information that appears to identify tens of
thousands of Freedom Convoy donors to the website GiveSendGo.

The data, hacked and released briefly on its front page, includes
names, locations, dollar amounts, personal email addresses, even the
credit card companies used for each transaction.

CBC has not been able to independently confirm if the people on the
list did in fact donate to the Freedom Convoy.

    CBC INVESTIGATES | Hacked convoy data shows more than half of
donations came from U.S.

Howland confirmed to CBC News that his donation was $75,000.

A database from GiveSendGo released publicly lists that as the
second-highest amount of all donations.

A sign supporting truckers was visible at Easy Kleen's property near a
Highway 1 off-ramp earlier this month.

Howland said in his statement that Easy Kleen has been in business for
more than 40 years and has relied on truckers for deliveries to and
from the factory.
Brad Howland says in his statement that Easy Kleen has been in
business in the Sussex area of southern New Brunswick for more than 40
years and has relied on truckers for deliveries to and from the
factory. (Roger Cosman/CBC)

He called truckers "salt of the earth people with the biggest hearts"
and said the convoy is a rare opportunity to thank them.

"We are thankful to be blessed enough to support their efforts to do
what they have to do in a peaceful way until the government removes
the mandates to restore all our freedom as pre-COVID," he said.

Records from the federal government show that Easy Kleen has received
funding from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program, set up to help
employers who have "seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19
pandemic."

It's not clear how much the company received, but when asked about the
subsidy, Howland said it was spent on wages at the beginning of the
pandemic in 2020.

Howland has also donated thousands of dollars to the provincial
Progressive Conservatives and the federal Conservative Party since
2018, according to public records.
Distrust of vaccines

On Facebook, Howland has posted support for former U.S. president
Donald Trump and about his distrust of vaccines.

"They say the Democrats are worried about outside interference in USA
elections," he wrote in August 2020, in a post that was no longer
public as of Monday afternoon. "They should be, from the country of
Lowest of Kars we are doing just that."

On Feb. 11, Howland posted that "a truck load of us" from Kars, a
community about 50 kilometres from Sussex, would be heading to Ottawa.

"It is about time we act like we own it and show them who calls the
shoots [sic] and determines mandates," Howland wrote on Jan. 25, in a
post that is also no longer public. "That is the people. Governments
got people in fear."

WATCH | More than half of convoy donations came from U.S., hacked data shows:
More than half of convoy donations came from U.S., hacked data shows
19 hours ago
Duration 2:01
A CBC News analysis of hacked data about those who donated to the
protest convoys through GiveSendGo found more than half of the
donations came from the U.S. It’s raising concern about foreign
funding of political activity. 2:01

In 2009, Howland received a conditional discharge after he threatened
the principal of a New Brunswick elementary school when they stopped
daily singing of O Canada.

CBC reported at the time that Howland threatened to beat the principal
senseless, but Howland said he meant it as a figure of speech rather
than a threat.

"Other provinces adopted playing the anthem because of this situation
in my life arose, which worked out very well in the end for thousands
for children playing the anthem in their schools," Howland wrote to
CBC when asked about the court case this week.

In total, the database shows donations from more than 500 people who
used New Brunswick postal codes, but CBC cannot verify whether those
individuals actually live in the province.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices


2460 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.


https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/convoy-protest-donations-data-1.6351292

Hacked convoy data shows more than half of donations came from U.S.

Canadians donated more cash than Americans to the protest, however
Elizabeth Thompson, Roberto Rocha, Albert Leung · CBC News · Posted:
Feb 14, 2022 4:03 PM ET

An Ottawa resident holds a sign toward protesters as they participate
in a counter-protest on the 17th day of a protest against COVID-19
measures in the capital on Sunday. ( Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Although Canadians gave more money than Americans, more than half of
the donations to the convoy protest made through the crowdfunding
website GiveSendGo came from the United States, an analysis of hacked
data from the site reveals.

The data — hacked illegally and released publicly late Sunday evening
— sheds light on the identity of thousands of donors to the
crowdfunding campaign.

A check by CBC News found that multiple names in the hacked data set
correspond to names, dates and donation amounts collected
independently by CBC News as the donations rolled in to GiveSendGo.

The data, which includes the home countries of donors, reveals that
55.7 per cent of the 92,844 donations made public came from donors in
the United States, while just 39 per cent came from donors located in
Canada.

But while the U.S. donations included a number of large contributions
— in some cases from names matching the names of donors to former U.S.
president Donald Trump's campaigns — Canadians actually gave more
money in total to the convoy protest.
A screenshot taken Sunday night of a page that visitors to the
GiveSendGo crowdfunding site were routed to. A link on the page
appeared to lead to data identifying people who donated money to the
organizers of the convoy protests against vaccine mandates in Canada.
(Screenshot/GiveSendGo.com)

Of the $8.4 million US in donations detailed in the data, $4.3 million
US — or 52.5 per cent of the total — came from Canada, while $3.6
million US (44.2 per cent) came from the U.S.

Other countries don't even come close. Great Britain provided the
third-largest number of donors — 1,831 donations totalling $77,065.

The last donation listed in the data set was made the evening of Feb. 10.

Users who tried to access GiveSendGo.com on Sunday night were
immediately rerouted to the domain GiveSendGone.wtf. There, a video of
the Disney movie Frozen began playing, with a scrolling message
addressing "GiveSendGo grifters and hatriots." A link to the hacked
donor data appeared below the video.

It was up for several hours before GiveSendGo regained control of its
domain and posted a message on its main page saying the site was
offline for "maintenance and server upgrades."
A message that appeared on the GiveSendGo.com website after the link
to the hacked data was removed. (GiveSendGo.com)
Law doesn't cover donations to political protests

The money flowing into the protest exposed a gap in Canada's federal
political financing rules. Those rules prohibit people who aren't
Canadian citizens or permanent residents from donating to Canadian
politicians or political parties — but they are silent on donations to
political protests by those who aren't Canadian.

The protest has seen donations worth millions of dollars coming from
people who chose to remain anonymous.

    Federal government invokes Emergencies Act for first time ever in
response to protests, blockades

    Critics call for new rules for online fundraisers after protest
convoy takes anonymous donations

The popular GoFundMe crowdfunding platform collected more than $10
million from more than 120,000 donations before it shut the
fundraising campaign down and announced that all donations would be
refunded. An analysis by CBC News found that at least one-third of
those donations were listed publicly as anonymous or under obviously
fictitious names.

When GoFundMe shut down the convoy fundraiser, protest organizers
pivoted to the Christian crowdfunding site GiveSendGo, which by Feb 12
had raised $9.05 million US from 101,919 donations. In their comments,
many donors indicated that they had donated to the GoFundMe campaign.
Restraining order against release of funds

At least 41 per cent of the publicly listed contributions in the
GiveSendGo data are anonymous. Many of those listed among the named
donations appear to use fake names.

Money for the convoy protest also has been donated through
cryptocurrency fundraising campaigns. Much of that money is anonymous
and untraceable. Truckers participating in the protests have also been
receiving cash donations on the street from people they don't know.
Someone with a helmet labelled 'Boosterman' and a mock syringe gun
takes part in the convoy protest in downtown Ottawa Sunday. (Alexander
Behne/CBC)

In a news release issued Sunday, protest organizers said none of the
money raised for the convoy protest has been released to the
organizers.

While GoFundMe initially released $1 million and GiveSendGo's system
sends donations directly to the bank account designated by organizers
of a fundraiser, the Ontario government obtained a restraining order
last week freezing the funds.

On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters that half of
the donations to the convoy protest on some platforms were coming from
the United States. Sources over the weekend told CBC News that the
information had come from GoFundMe but the company has yet to confirm
that information.

    MPs vote to call GoFundMe to testify at Commons committee on convoy protest

On Monday, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced the government
would adopt new measures to cover crowdfunding sites, which currently
are not obliged to report to FINTRAC, Canada's money laundering and
terrorist financing watchdog.

"We are broadening the scope of Canada's anti-money laundering and
terrorist financing rules so that they cover crowdfunding platforms
and the payment service providers they use," Freeland told reporters.
"These changes cover all forms of transactions, including digital
assets such as cryptocurrencies.
WATCH | Freeland announces new regulations for crowdfunding sites:
Crowdfunding platforms must now register with FINTRAC
24 hours ago
Duration 1:39
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announces new regulations to
crowdfunding sites and their payment service providers as part of the
deployment of the Emergency Act. 1:39

The illegal blockades have highlighted the fact that crowdfunding
platforms and some of the payment service providers they use are not
fully captured under the Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing
Act."

The government is expected to make public more details of the changes Tuesday.

GiveSendGo has not yet responded to questions from CBC News about the
hack to its website or what it plans to do next.


CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|

https://www.bbb.org/ca/nb/sussex-corner/profile/pressure-washing/easy-kleen-pressure-systems-ltd-0087-24064

On 2/15/22, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)" <Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca>
> Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2022 18:22:29 +0000
> Subject: RE: Hey Ted I am calling you again
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> Hello,
>
> Thank you for taking the time to write.
>
> Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response
> to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed
> at the earliest opportunity.
>
> If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a
> Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for
> review and consideration.
>
> Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
>
> En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous
> informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les
> meilleurs délais.
>
> Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre
> secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel
> pour examen et considération.
>
>
> If this is a Media Request, please contact the Premier’s office at
> (506) 453-2144 or by email
> media-medias@gnb.ca<mailto:media-medias@gnb.ca>
>
> S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le
> Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144.
>
>
> Office of the Premier/Cabinet du premier ministre
> P.O Box/C. P. 6000 Fredericton New-Brunswick/Nouveau-Brunswick E3B 5H1
> Canada
> Tel./Tel. : (506) 453-2144
> Email/Courriel:
> premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca<mailto:premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario
> <Premier@ontario.ca>
> Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2022 18:22:33 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: Hey Ted I am calling you again
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly
> valued.
>
> You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read,
> reviewed and taken into consideration.
>
> There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
> need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
> correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
> response may take several business days.
>
> Thanks again for your email.
> ______­­
>
> Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de
> nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
>
> Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
> considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
>
> Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
> responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
> la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
> ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
>
> Merci encore pour votre courriel.
>
> On 2/15/22, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
>> https://www.facebook.com/ted.kuntz
>>
>> Intro
>>
>>     President at VCC
>>     Author - Peace Begins With Me at Ted Kuntz
>>     Former Psychotherapist at Ted Kuntz Counseling Services
>>     Studied Psychology at University of British Columbia
>>     Went to St. Jerome's high School, Kitchener
>>     Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia
>>     From Kitchener, Ontario
>>     Joined May 2007
>>     Followed by 2,523 people
>>     daretoquestionvaccination.com
>>
>> Ted Kuntz
>> 21at0Spo1ns512h6068clh586amh  · YouTube  ·
>> In particular, watch the speech by the Honourable Brian Peckford at
>> the 57 minute mark. A powerful speech that will do done in history.
>>
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSwoWhQ9naw&ab_channel=VIDSTORM
>>
>>  Live RAW Footage - Ottawa Freedom Convoy 2022 DAY 16 🍁
>> 15,332 views
>> Streamed live on Feb 12, 2022
>> 1.8K
>> VIDSTORM
>> 365K subscribers
>> Eric brings you BOOTS ON THE GROUND Independent Journalism. This is a
>> historical moment in Ottawa, Canada!!! Trucker Convoy 2022 LIVE FEED
>> 🍁
>>
>>
>> http://www.daretoquestionvaccination.com/?fbclid=IwAR1V0wPD6XjllvUGXKpEKko-4EbLYm-SwIFAmWODnrxZf-iwWBZi1xSkZBg
>>
>> ted@daretoquestionvaccination.com
>>
>> 1 604 942 7134
>>
>>
>> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-covid-19-unvaccinated-higgs-uncomfortable-moving-on-1.6351876
>>
>> Higgs abandons pledge to make life 'uncomfortable' for the unvaccinated
>>
>> Premier says New Brunswick's COVID-19 hospitalizations are decreasing
>> and society is 'moving on'
>> Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon · CBC News · Posted: Feb 15, 2022 7:52 AM AT
>>
>> Premier Blaine Higgs said the province has laid out its 'path forward'
>> and the public is 'ready for that.' (Ed Hunter/CBC)
>>
>> Premier Blaine Higgs has abandoned a pledge to make life "increasingly
>> uncomfortable" for the unvaccinated.
>>
>> Asked whether the province's plan to introduce measures targeting New
>> Brunswickers who don't get their COVID-19 shots is off the table, he
>> replied, "I would say so."
>>
>> "I think that, you know, we're moving on as a society and, you know,
>> we're looking at our hospitalizations and they're coming down. They're
>> kind of stabilized, but they're certainly not going up."
>>
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>> Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2022 13:57:59 -0400
>> Subject: Hey Dana I watched you and your buddies yapping in Ottwwa for
>> weeks and just shook my head but last night you took the cake
>> To: dana Metcalfe <danajmetcalfe@icloud.com>
>> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
>>
>> On 11/8/21, dana Metcalfe <danajmetcalfe@icloud.com> wrote:
>>> It won’t let me open it?
>>>
>>> Dana Metcalfe
>>>
>>>> On Nov 7, 2021, at 8:45 PM, David Amos
>>>> <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Wayne Easter should be able to explain why the webcast and transcript
>>>> are still missing and Trudeau should be able to explain my lawsuit
>>>>
>>>> https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings/review-of-current-investigations-and-regulatory-actions-regarding-the-mutual-fund-industry
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Full Committee Hearing
>>>> Review of Current Investigations and Regulatory Actions Regarding the
>>>> Mutual Fund Industry
>>>>
>>>> Date:   Thursday, November 20, 2003
>>>>
>>>> Witness Panel 1
>>>>
>>>>    Mr. Stephen M. Cutler
>>>>    Director - Division of Enforcement
>>>>    Securities and Exchange Commission
>>>>
>>>>    Mr. Robert Glauber
>>>>    Chairman and CEO
>>>>    National Association of Securities Dealers
>>>>
>>>>    Eliot Spitzer
>>>>    Attorney General
>>>>    State of New York
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On 11/7/21, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> https://www.facebook.com/leannemargaret.carter.3
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> https://www.facebook.com/Raven-News-103279015472597/
>>>>>
>>>>> Salt Box Studios
>>>>> Contact: Dana Metcalfe
>>>>> Address
>>>>> 1308 Thorburn Road
>>>>> Portugal Cove - St. Phillip’s, NL
>>>>> Phone (709) 771-0210
>>>>>
>>>>> Email danametcalfe@icloud.com
>>>>>
>>>>> https://www.facebook.com/Dana-Metcalfe-St-Johns-East-PPC-108410511572802/
>>>>>
 
 
 
 

Former Ottawa mayor staffer reveals how city tried to shut down convoy during Day 13 of Lich trial

 
 
 
 

Crown closes case in convoy trial of Tamara Lich, Chris Barber

Crown trying to establish 'control and influence' over crowds, encouraged them to stay

The prosecution has finished making its case in the trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, organizers of the Freedom Convoy protest who face criminal charges for their actions during February 2022. 

Originally slated for 16 days, the trial saw delays because of how Ottawa police collected and handed over evidence to prosecutors, as well as legal wrangling over the admissibility of specific evidence. 

When the trial started in early September, the court dedicated 10 days for the Crown to make their case that Lich and Barber "crossed the line" into criminality, but the pace of proceedings slowed almost immediately and more time was added to the schedule. 

Lich and Barber are on trial for charges of committing mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief and intimidation for their roles in the protest.

The Crown is trying to establish the two had "control and influence" over the crowds and encouraged others to join the protests while also fundraising.

To do so, they showed videos showing the less peaceful side of the protest and brought in residents who detailed their negative experiences during the convoy. 

The Crown also called several police officers as witnesses, including one who described the crowds as "hostile." Another officer told the court protesters were originally approved to park in front of Parliament Hill on Wellington Street.

The Crown showed several social media posts gathered from Lich and Barber's online profiles. They showed a Feb. 14 press conference where Lich promised the protest would stay peaceful even as the federal government was preparing to use the Emergencies Act to clear the streets. 

"No matter what you do, we will hold the line," Lich said in the video. 

Crown prosecutors are relying on the videos to help demonstrate Lich and Barber had control and influence over the protest in their capacity as leaders.

The videos are being used as examples to show Lich encouraged supporters to stay in Ottawa despite being told by police to leave. 

That includes when Lich again told protesters to "hold the line" as she was arrested on Feb. 17, three days after the Emergencies Act had been invoked. 

A major police operation to clear the streets of protesters entirely began the following morning.

In a video taken from Barber's TikTok account, he told truckers to "grab that horn switch" and "let it roll as long as possible" if police tried to dislodge them.

He tells supporters in another TikTok on Feb. 9 that, if a trucker is arrested and ordered to leave the city, they will be replaced "with three new truckers."

The defence argues protesters were assisted by police, including by being directed how and where to go in downtown Ottawa.

Defence lawyers expect to introduce at least two motions pertaining to their defence this week, and court resumes Nov. 27 when the defence expects to begin entering its evidence. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 

Judge orders Crown to disclose internal police documents in convoy trial

Tuesday marked Day 24 of the trial

The judge overseeing a criminal trial for two organizers of the truck convoy protests is ordering the Crown disclose internal police documents to the defence.

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are on trial for the role they played in the winter 2022 protests. 

Their lawyers had requested information from Ottawa Police Service about a software upgrade that resulted in at least two officers who were communicating directly with protesters having their phones wiped. 

The defence is arguing that those officers, who were on a police liaison team texting, calling and speaking with protesters are important witnesses deserving of scrutiny. They say the credibility of those witnesses could impact the weight given to their testimony. 

Lich and Barber are each charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in January and February of 2022.

Justice Heather Perkins-McVey echoed previous comments she had made when she said it "is very unusual" for two police officers who were expected to be trial witnesses to have lost potential evidence because of a phone upgrade.

She ordered the Crown produce an internal police email about the phone upgrade for defence lawyers to review, saying they were relevant. 

Perkins-McVey is also giving what she called "careful consideration" to emails Ottawa police argued shouldn't be shared because of solicitor-client privilege.

They argued they were inadvertently shared with the Crown and didn't need to be disclosed, but Perkins-McVey ordered the documents be given for her review to determine if they are relevant to Lich and Barber's defence. 

Other documents about litigation strategy and court logistics were deemed irrelevant and are not being turned over to the court. 

Court was delayed throughout the morning because one of the defence lawyers was tied up with another matter. 

Perkins-McVey delivered her decision on the documents after 2 p.m. and the Crown then continued its case. 

Police enforce an injunction against protesters, some who have been camped in their trucks near Parliament Hill for weeks, on Feb. 19, 2022. Police enforce an injunction against protesters, some who had camped in their trucks near Parliament Hill for weeks, on Feb. 19, 2022. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Officer testimony continues

Sgt. Jordan Blonde returned to the witness box for Day 24 of the long-running trial. He was part of a police liaison team messaging demonstrators that it was time to leave.

He told court last week he encountered "hostile" crowds as he and his colleagues tried telling protesters to leave the city. 

On Tuesday, he testified that every weekend there was an "influx of people into the downtown core" and crowds started thinning out as the following week approached. 

Blonde told court that protesters were being warned verbally and through flyers to leave the city or risk arrest, though many refused to take the flyers or hear the message.

A police removal operation began on Feb. 18, he said, with officers doing "final messaging" to protesters, trying to convince them to leave and warning they could be arrested if they didn't. 

The public order unit then began a massive campaign to clear the protesters from Ottawa's downtown. Blonde characterizied it as "slow and methodical."

Blonde said he saw arrests, yelling and screaming and some people "actually leave the area after we provided that final messaging."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 

Officer describes 'hostile' crowd in Lich, Barber trial

Crown arguing protest wasn't peaceful and accused 'crossed the line' into criminal behaviour

An Ottawa police officer described encountering "hostile" crowds as he and his colleagues tried telling protesters, who were taking part in what became the Freedom Convoy, to leave the city.

Sgt. Jordan Blonde is testifying on day 23 of a criminal trial for Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two leaders of the protest who are charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in January and February of 2022.

Blonde said the encounters he had while telling protesters to leave is "something I certainly don't want to experience again." 

He described trying to tell protesters stationed downtown to vacate the area but being unable to do so because horns started going off.

He recalled one instance where he was at Wellington and Metcalfe streets being inches away from a protester but unable to hear what was being said because of the noise. 

Someone passes two police vehicles near a tall Gothic-style tower in the snow.     A person passes Ottawa police officers in their vehicles on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill in January 2023 as demonstrators marked one year since the Freedom Convoy. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

The third member of a police liaison unit testifying in the trial, Blonde said he tried telling protesters they could be arrested if they stayed. But he testified many of them were "adamant about getting arrested" so he instead explained to them what would happen after they were taken into police custody. 

Efforts to warn protesters about arrests were ultimately abandoned, he said, for "safety reasons" on Feb. 17. 

The next day, police began a massive operation to clear protesters from the city's downtown core. 

Crown prosecutors argue Lich and Barber "crossed the line" into criminal behaviour by using the means they employed to achieve their political goals. 

They are also trying to demonstrate Lich and Barber had control and influence over the protest in their capacity as leaders, and that the protest was not peaceful.

The trial is expected to resume Oct. 31. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 

Crown, police arguing against disclosing evidence in Lich, Barber trial

Defence trying to find out about update that wiped police phones

Crown lawyers and the Ottawa Police Service are arguing some internal police communications should not be disclosed to Tamara Lich and Chris Barber's lawyers. 

Barber and Lich, on trial for the role they played in organizing the 2022 truck convoy protest in Ottawa, had asked through their lawyers for internal emails about evidence police gave to the Crown.

The defence received heavily redacted copies of those emails, with the OPS arguing that was done to protect solicitor-client privilege. 

Eric Grainger, representing Lich, said Thursday those communications could play a "significant role" in the trial and could impact how the defence moves forward with its case. 

He said it isn't clear from the redacted materials why certain sections are protected.

"We … are seeking to get access to as much of the context as we can in further attempts to unravel that mystery," Granger said, adding it is in the interest of his client to get to the bottom of it.

He argued the police emails were prepared with the expectation officers would be testifying, so the judge should find them "likely relevant" to the criminal case and have them unredacted. 

Crown lawyers argue the disclosure isn't appropriate because the material is either irrelevant or, again, protected by solicitor-client privilege.

The defence says it is a low bar for the disclosure to be considered relevant and OPS waived its solicitor-client privilege when it sent the documents to the Crown.

Lost messages

Defence lawyers are also trying to find out what OPS told officers about a software upgrade to cellphones that police say resulted in the phones of at least two officers being wiped. 

Lost in the software upgrade, for example, were messages between a police liaison officer who was texting with Barber throughout the protests. 

Defence lawyers have only received a completely blacked-out document about the software upgrade.

Const. Isabelle Cyr and Const. Nicole Bach were police liason team members communicating with convoy organizers and supporters throughout the protests.

Both said from the witness box their phones were wiped because of an OPS software upgrade. A third officer who played a similar role during the protest, and who is on the witness list, did not lose access to his messages.

Grainger said "it's on the Crown to justify" redactions in OPS emails, including about phone upgrades. 

Two police officers talk to someone on a city street in winter. Someone sticks their head out of the window of a truck cab behind them to listen. Police liaison officers speak to protesters in Ottawa Feb. 10, 2022. (Patrick Doyle/Reuters)

Justice Heather Perkins-McVey, overseeing the matter, said it was "a little unusual" two officers had their phones wiped and questioned how many other police officers may had lost content on their phones.

At least 15 people acted as police liaison officers during the protests.

"(Officers who) knew they would be involved in the case … knew they had to have their phones upgraded and yet did not take the responsible steps to ensure that all the evidence and disclosure was preserved," said Perkins-Mcvey  

A lawyer representing OPS argued a formal application should be filed by the defence to view the document, but the defence said they have a right to see it, in part because the Crown has.

Lich and Barber are each charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in January and February of 2022.

Perkins-McVey is expected to make her rulings on the disclosure issues in the coming weeks. 

The trial resumes Friday with more arguments over the disclosure, and it is currently set to sit three days next week. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 

Crown stays bail violation charge for Tamara Lich

Staying charge allows trial on 'substantive charges' to continue in 'timely fashion'

Crown prosecutors are staying the bail-related charge for a key organizer of what became the Freedom Convoy because of delays in her criminal trial. 

Currently on trial for mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief, and intimidation, Tamara Lich had also been accused of breaching her bail conditions.

Lich was re-arrested in June after allegedly being in touch with another protest organizer, Tom Marazzo, at an awards gala in Toronto where she was being honoured.

Marazzo, who was never charged by police for his role in the protests, helped organize the Freedom Convoy during its time in Ottawa and, at times, appeared as an official spokesperson for demonstrators during the weeks-long event that ended in a major police action to clear the streets. 

Lich was taken into custody in Medicine Hat, Alta., on June 27 after Ottawa police issued a Canada-wide warrant for her arrest. 

She was not allowed to contact Marazzo and others involved in the protest without lawyers present as part of the conditions attached to her original charges stemming from her role in organizing the convoy. 

But she was released with new conditions about a month later and given new bail conditions, including a $37,000 bond and tightened rules around communicating with protest organizers and using social media. 

During a brief court appearance Monday, Crown prosecutors announced they were staying the bail-related charge against Lich.

A charge being stayed means the issue of guilt versus innocence doesn't get settled.

The move was expected because Lich's other court matters are dragging behind schedule.

By staying her bail violation, Crown prosecutors told the court that dates "could be repurposed for the substantive trial."

Currently on a short break, her criminal trial has been delayed over several issues and Crown prosecutors have taken twice the amount of time they initially expected to make their case against Lich and Chris Barber, another organizer who is a co-accused. 

Lich and Barber's trial is expected to continue this week.

Corrections

  • A previous version of this story said the charge was dropped. In fact, the charge was stayed.
    Oct 24, 2023 1:40 PM ET

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 
David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 

Convoy trial hears organizer told police he wanted 'acknowledgement and action'

Trial for 2 organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber now on 20th day

An Ottawa police officer who had direct contact with organizer Chris Barber testified Thursday in the criminal trial of him and Tamara Lich, the pair charged for their role in organizing what became the Freedom Convoy. 

Const. Nicole Bach was a member of the police liaison team that reached out to convoy participants and organizers before and during the convoy's time in Ottawa. 

Lich and Barber are each charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in January and February of 2022. 

Bach and Barber exchanged text messages before he arrived in the city. She testified early in the protest Barber helped police calm agitated truckers who wanted to park closer to Parliament Hill. 

During a Feb. 1 exchange, two days after the bulk of the protesters arrived, Barber raised the issue of lacking fuel for truckers and described how some of the truckers had babies with them.

She testified he suggested ways to help truckers refuel and indicated to Bach a process needed to be "streamlined" because the convoy was "not going away."

A day later she said Barber indicated he was trying to open up more space on Wellington Street to make the protest safer and offered suggestions on how to do so. She said he told her he felt the convoy was getting out of control and becoming unsafe, but he wanted to work with police to resolve those issues. 

Bach testified that on Feb. 8, after police and politicians had called for an end to the protest, Barber had ideas on how the convoy could progress.

Chris Barber Barber, one of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, is seen arrested by Ottawa police officers in downtown Ottawa in February 2022. (Kirk Hill/Facebook)

Wanted PM to acknowledge convoy

He proposed moving trucks out of residential areas to staging locations while maintaining trucks on Wellington Street for optics. 

According to Bach, Barber suggested to her the convoy was not leaving anytime soon and he felt the protesters had not been acknowledged or heard, and they needed "acknowledgement and action." 

She said Barber indicated acknowledgement from the prime minister was needed and 3,000 trucks were ready to "move on a moment's notice to participate." 

Bach's evidence about Barber's comments regarding the prime minister may not be used as admissible evidence because his lawyers argue it isn't relevant. 

Bach is the second of three police liaison officers scheduled to testify in the trial, now on its 20th day.

She is one of only a few witnesses testifying who had direct dealings with one of the accused. Barber, wearing a blue and red plaid shirt with jeans, took notes on a pen and paper during her testimony. 

The Crown is trying to establish that Lich and Barber had "control and influence" over the crowds and encouraged others to join the protests while also fundraising. 

The defence argues protesters were assisted by police, including by being directed how and where to go in downtown Ottawa.

Const. Isabelle Cyr, another police liaison officer, told the court Wednesday how she raised concerns before the convoy's arrival that it would be difficult to control the protesters because there were different leaders and movements involved in it. 

Cyr and other officers sent traffic maps and directions to protesters telling them to go to key downtown arteries and intersections, including Wellington Street, Rideau Street, the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway and what was then known as the Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway.

"I know traffic officers were out instructing protesters where to go," she told the court.

Cyr also told the court it was difficult to know how many different convoys were coming to the city. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|
 
 
 
 

Police directed convoy protesters downtown, officer tells trial

Defence alleges police help shows Tamara Lich, Chris Barber didn't have control over convoy

Ottawa police directed protesters taking part in what became the Freedom Convoy to the city's downtown core, and had information the truckers could stay for a prolonged period, court heard Wednesday.

Const. Isabelle Cyr is testifying Wednesday in the criminal trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two convoy organizers who are each charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in January and February of 2022.

As a member of the police liaison team, Cyr was tasked with communicating with people involved with the convoy before it arrived and during the protest in Ottawa. 

She testified that she understood from communicating with one of the protest organizers that a code of conduct was required for truckers to join the protest, and it had a stipulation against violence. 

Cyr also told the court how she raised concerns before the convoy's arrival that it would be difficult to control the protesters because there were different leaders and movements involved in it. 

Cyr and other officers sent traffic maps and directions to protesters telling them to go to key downtown arteries and intersections, including Wellington Street, Rideau Street, the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway and what was then known as the Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway.

"I know traffic officers were out instructing protesters where to go," she told the court.

Police communication part of defence case

During cross-examination by Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, Cyr was shown an email sent three days before the protest's arrival noting the protesters had raised more than $5 million and they could stay in the city for a "prolonged period." 

Cyr also told the court it was difficult to know how many different convoys were coming to the city. 

On Jan. 27, two days before the bulk of the protesters began arriving, she was provided traffic maps to send to them. 

"Great job on the maps ... truckers will love it!" she wrote to her fellow officers. 

She testified that during the convoy she was communicating with protesters on a daily basis, and in a few instances where she was able to convince a trucker to move their truck, was told by a superior officer not to allow it. 

Earlier in the trial Insp. Russell Lucas, the incident commander managing the convoy's impacts, said he approved a plan to allow more vehicles onto Wellington to shrink that footprint and provide nearby neighbourhoods some relief, while concentrating police enforcement in one location.

But that plan was rejected by then-chief Peter Sloly, Lucas testified, saying he was told by superior officers "we're not giving them one inch."

A text message shown in court, which was sent by one of Cyr's colleagues to other officers, said the lack of authority given to police liaison teams to make decisions during the protest had "resulted in this catastrophic failure" and empowered certain protesters.

The Crown is trying to establish that Lich and Barber had "control and influence" over the crowds and encouraged others to join the protests while also fundraising. 

Greenspon argues the protesters were assisted by police. 

"They were directed how to get off the highway, what roads to take, where to park in the downtown core of Ottawa and on Wellington Street," Greenspon said outside of court Sept. 20. "They didn't just end up there. They were directed there."

Cyr said by Feb. 17 she was out with other officers handing letters to protesters warning them of pending police action and potential arrests. She said she and other officers were "swarmed" by demonstrators when they tried doing this and "felt unsafe."

Protesters, trucks with sign FreedomConvoy20222, Canada and Canada flags outside Parliament Hill on snowy day Freedom Convoy Demonstration in Ottawa.before police moved in on 20 Feb 2022. See truck and protest signs in front of Parliament buildings. (CBC/Radio-Canada)

Texts, emails show what Cyr told protesters

Text messages between one of the convoy protest organizers and Cyr, filed as part of a different civil case, show how police told protesters where to park in January 2022.

That affidavit also showed a text from Cyr to someone requesting the protesters' itinerary and an email with routes to staging areas apparently set up by Ottawa police on Wellington and the parkway, which would eventually be filled with trucks and other vehicles for weeks

The document does not include all communication between Cyr and the convoy contact, and it's expected some of Cyr's communications with protesters will become evidence in the criminal trial.

Protesters started arriving in the city on Jan. 28 and by the next day, thousands of people were converging on Parliament Hill accompanied by the constant honking of trucks and train horns. Wellington was clogged with vehicles belonging to protesters prompting several downtown businesses, including the Rideau Centre, to close.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 
 

Resident tells trial he felt 'threatened' by convoy participants

Crown trying to establish protest organizers had 'control and influence' over crowds

Court has heard from five downtown Ottawa residents who described the impact of noise and diesel fumes during the Freedom Convoy protest in early 2022, including one resident who said Tuesday he had to leave the city because of the scope of the protest.

Protest organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are each charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest.

The Crown is trying to establish that Lich and Barber had "control and influence" over the crowds and encouraged others to join the protests while also fundraising. 

Paul Jorgenson, whose testimony ended Tuesday, told the court he felt "threatened" during the protest and was so overwhelmed by the noise that he bought expensive, noise-cancelling headphones. 

He said he left the city for several days and when he returned, had trouble getting food from grocery stores and restaurants in the downtown core.

Leaving his highrise apartment building was difficult, he said, because protesters had blocked the driveway where he would exit. 

Jorgenson told court he felt compelled to take part in a counter-protest on Elgin Street, blocking protest vehicles from entering the downtown core. 

"I never reached the level of desperation as I did that weekend," he said. 

Jorgenson's testimony followed Zexi Li, the public servant thrust into the spotlight when she agreed to become the lead plaintiff in a multi-million-dollar proposed class action against Freedom Convoy organizers.

Crown prosecutors called local residents to help illustrate the scope, nature and consequences of the protests and "rebut" any suggestion it was peaceful.

Li testified the noise from the vehicles in the protest "permeated my existence."

"The honking happened so consistently that even when it wasn't [happening], I could expect it to happen at any other time," she said. 

Court also heard from a resident who described being verbally harassed and losing sales at her upscale ByWard Market shop. Another resident told the court about trucks honking, non-stop drumming that went late into the night and fireworks on a near-nightly basis in what she described as "intolerable noise." 

During cross-examination, defence lawyers confirmed the people who testified had no direct dealings with Lich or Barber.

Fight over calling residents

The Crown had to make the case to call residents, and they originally planned to call eight.

Defence lawyers earlier argued it wasn't necessary because Lich and Barber were prepared to admit that actions of certain individuals participating in the protests resulted in interference with the lawful use or enjoyment of certain properties and businesses.

The defence was also prepared to admit residents and businesses were interfered with, and public transportation disrupted as a result of protesters' actions.

Crown prosecutors contended they were trying to prove more than what was covered in those admissions, and were ultimately granted permission to call residents as witnesses.

The trial continues Friday with the cross-examination of an Ottawa police officer who had been on the stand earlier in the trial. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 
 

Freedom Convoy made it 'near impossible' to live, Zexi Li tells trial

Trial of convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber enters 17th day

The young public servant thrust into the spotlight when she agreed to become the lead plaintiff in a multi-million-dollar proposed class action against Freedom Convoy organizers is testifying in the criminal trial of two of them: Tamara Lich and Chris Barber.

Zexi Li's testimony came on the 17th day of trial for Lich and Barber, who are each charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in January and February of 2022.

Li testified she was working from her downtown home during the COVID-19 pandemic, including when protesters came to Ottawa.

Shadowed by court security, she said from the witness box it was "near impossible" to get by during the protest and "difficult to live as a human being," describing the horns as "constant."

She said the horns blared "most commonly" between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. and sometimes there were occasional blasts of horns throughout the night. She also described a "very loud" noise that was reminiscent of an air raid horn.

Li is one of the local witnesses called by Crown lawyers, along with business owners and other residents, to illustrate the scope, nature and consequences of the protests and "rebut" any suggestion it was peaceful.

The Crown is trying to establish that Lich and Barber had "control and influence" over the crowds and encouraged others to join the protests while also fundraising. 

Three people walk past a sign for a provincial courthouse. Diane Magas, left, lawyer for Chris Barber, middle, walks with Tamara Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon to the Ottawa Courthouse last month. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

'Intimidated' by protesters, Li says

After a court injunction was successfully granted against the honking, Li said horns continued to blare though they were less common, along with some "scheduled" honking as the noise "permeated my existence," she testified.

"The honking happened so consistently that even when it wasn't [happening], I could expect it to happen at any other time."

Li, wearing a white silky v-neck T-shirt with matching wide-leg dress pants, said during the following weeks of protests there would be "scheduled" honking. 

"The sound was less sporadic and more like the sound is all happening. closer to the same moment, rather than it being more spread out," she said, adding there were also other instances of "collective honking" taking place. 

During cross-examination, Li told Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon she heard honking specifically on Feb. 7 and then again on either Feb. 17 and 18. 

She said she couldn't speak to the duration or specific dates of when she heard honking, an air-raid siren, megaphones, a roaming horn or fireworks. 

The injunction granted on her behalf sought only to stop the honking for an initial period of 10 days, allowing for peaceful, lawful and safe protests to be permitted so long as the injunction wasn't violated. 

The injunction was extended beyond the original 10-day period after the original order expired, with the same terms in place.

Barber faces an additional charge of counselling others to disobey the Feb. 7 court order that banned loud honking in Ottawa's downtown core.

Earlier in the trial, court heard how two days after the Ontario Superior Court granted the original injunction against honking, Barber posted a video to TikTok warning supporters there were rumours police action could be coming within days.

In the video submitted as evidence, Barber says the "horns have to be quiet" — but if a trucker sees police enforcement starting, they should "grab that horn switch and don't let go of that."

Li described feeling "intimidated" by an encounter with a trucker who shook his fist and honked his horn, and described protesters establishing structures to become more entrenched as the Freedom Convoy continued, including a "makeshift soup kitchen."

By the third week, after the injunction had been granted against honking, she said protesters became "hostile" when she was taking pictures. She described calling police after a truck backed into her.

convoy protesters yell Police enforce an injunction in February 2022 against protesters, including some who were camped in their trucks for weeks. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Gridlock caused

Under cross-examination, she said the truck didn't make contact with her "only because I moved out of the way." 

She said she believed police filed a report but no further action was taken as a result of the incident. 

Li also described convoy vehicles slowing down ambulances that had been responding to a call and roads that were "completely blocked off," but she couldn't remember specifics.

She also said she couldn't take the bus because routes were relocated and the smell of gasoline from idling vehicles in the downtown core was "almost inescapable at times."

At one point during her testimony, she was cautioned to stop using the word "occupation" because the trial is using "protest" or "demonstration" to describe the events of the convoy, while "occupation" has a different legal definition. 

Barber's lawyer Diane Magas objected to the continued use of the term saying the word was "irritating" and "inflammatory." Justice Heather McVey-Perkins told court the language could impact the credibility of Li's testimony.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 

Convoy trial hears of transit disruptions, dropping sales at ByWard business

Day 16 of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber's trial hears testimony from Ottawa residents, business owners

OC Transpo stopped service to about 150 bus stops during the truck convoy protests in the winter of 2022 because demonstrations prevented the agency from operating on the roads downtown.

Natalie Huneault, business projects and events co-ordinator for the transit agency, testified on the 16th day of the trial for Tamara Lich and Chris Barber.

They are charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in January and February of 2022.

She described "the complete removal of service" on key Ottawa streets and the "partial" removal of service on other roads.

Overall there were 18 routes impacted for the majority of the protests and 150 stops were not operating.

Huneault was responsible for deciding to redirect routes and said the decision was made because OC Transpo couldn't service the roads those routes and stops were on.

A woman wearing sunglasses carries a disposable coffee cup outside in late summer. Tamara Lich arrives for her trial at the Ottawa Courthouse on Sept. 19, 2023. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

ByWard shop lost sales

A ByWard market shopkeeper described being verbally harassed during the protests.

"I didn't feel safe, I was getting comments, insults," said Chantal Biro.

"I was wearing a mask because we were supposed to be wearing a mask at the time and because of that it would attract attention."

She said in-store sales "dropped dramatically" during the protests because fewer customers were coming in, and deliveries were delayed.

Biro, who is also involved in a proposed class action lawsuit against Lich, Barber and others involved in the convoy, described a "constant" blaring of horns, megaphones and shouts of "freedom" being heard.

The city was "seized and completely overtaken by these so-called protesters," she testified.

She said she also smelt "a lot of exhaust from the trucks that were constantly running," along with gasoline, fumes and marijuana and cigarettes being smoked. 

During cross-examination, defence lawyers confirmed none of Biro's experiences were directly linked with Barber or Lich.

Crown lawyers are using local witnesses, including business owners and residents, to illustrate the scope, nature and consequences of the protests to "rebut" any suggestion it was peaceful. 

Three people walk past a sign for a provincial courthouse. Diane Magas, left, lawyer for Chris Barber, centre, walks with Tamara Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon to the Ottawa Courthouse on Sept. 19, 2023. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Ottawa resident's describe noise, traffic

Earlier testimony from residents spoke to the noise and congestion caused by the protests, but none of them had any direct dealings with Lich or Barber.

Sarah Gawman, the first person called to give testimony about residents' experience during the protests, told court she was living in a highrise apartment building near the centre of the demonstrations.

Gawman recounted trucks honking, non-stop drumming that went late into the night and fireworks on a near nightly basis in what she described as "intolerable noise."

She is also a plaintiff in the proposed civil class action lawsuit.

Vivian Leir, an employee at St. Andrew's Presybyterian Church near the intersection of Wellington and Kent streets, told court she was "overwhelmed with trucks parked all around our church"

She testified demonstrators urinated and defecated on church property, dressed up a statue of Jesus and left "garbage everywhere." 

During her cross-examination, defence lawyers clarified she never saw anyone defecating on the property herself, but that the church's groundskeeper told her about locating human feces. They also showed video recorded during the convoy showing the street adjacent to the church being relatively quiet, with hardly any horns heard in the background. 

Stephane Bellfoy, who was also living downtown during the protests, told the court it was difficult to get to and from his apartment building and honking was heard "at all hours."

"There was a lot of traffic, traffic wasn't moving, we always had to take alternative roads," he said. 

During cross-examination, defence lawyers confirmed the people who testified had no direct dealings with Lich or Barber.

"From the evidence that we did hear, the individuals that testified could not identify anybody that they interacted with," said Barber's lawyer, Diane Magas outside the courthouse on Friday.

"It's clear that there's no evidence relating to either accused with respect to what was testified to in court."

It's expected Zexi Li, the downtown resident who initiated the proposed class action lawsuit, will testify Monday.

Magas again raised the prospect of seeking an application to have the charges stayed because her client's right to be tried within a reasonable time would have been violated, also known as a Jordan application. 

 "There's more delays with respect to [the] Crown's disclosure and issues," she said. "If it continues to have more delays, we're going to suggest it's … for Crown delays, and that may raise the Jordan spectrum."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 
David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 

Protesters urinated, defecated on church property, convoy trial hears

'They were fouling it and they were rude'

An Ottawa resident working at a downtown church during what became known as the "Freedom Convoy" testified at the criminal trial of two organizers that during the protests demonstrators were urinating and defecating on the property.

Vivian Leir, an employee at St. Andrew's Presybyterian Church near the intersection of Wellington and Kent streets, told court she was "overwhelmed with trucks parked all around our church" when they arrived at the end of January.

Leir's testimony came on the 15th day of the trial for Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, who are charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in January and February of 2022.

She described the church as a sanctuary that was usually very peaceful but during the protests "this was all gone."

"The whole environment of the church was brutally altered by this noise, by the fumes coming into my office," she said, later in the day adding she "could hear the horns through the walls in the sanctuary."

Leir said she and members of the church's custodial staff found feces on church property as well as "garbage everywhere" that she described as "filthy" and "disgusting."

"It's a place of sanctuary," she testified. "They were fouling it and they were rude." 

 A man and woman look behind them while seated in a meeting room.Freedom Convoy organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber wait for the Public Order Emergency Commission to begin Nov. 1, 2022 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

She said she asked — more than once — that protesters respect the property but was sworn at "in foul language" on three occasions. 

"How dare they, they were trespassing.… More than once I had words with these people, because I won't put up with that." 

She described protesters commandeering a church sign stand so they could use it to put up their own signs on church property, and how protesters put clothing on one of the church's statues of Jesus. 

On one occasion, she asked a trucker who was blaring music all day to turn it down, but said he swore at her and refused to do it. 

Leir testified she had to call police to ensure the minister could access the church and arranged police escorts to ensure the "gridlock" downtown didn't prevent services.

"It was like being at a truck stop all day," she said, adding the fumes were unhealthy and coming through the church's ventilation system. 

She also testified the church lost money — more than $5,000 — because events booked in the space were cancelled, services were impacted because fewer congregants and volunteers were coming in and deliveries weren't able to be dropped off.

 altThe sunset over Wellington Street as a protest against COVID-19 restrictions went into its second week in Ottawa Feb. 5, 2022. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

'Intolerable noise' during protests

Another resident living downtown during the protests described "incessant honking" and clogged streets prevented her from sleeping, working and moving around downtown. 

Sarah Gawman, the first person called to give testimony about residents' experience during the protests, told court she was living in a highrise apartment building near the centre of the demonstrations.

Gawman recounted trucks honking, non-stop drumming that went late into the night and fireworks on a near nightly basis in what she described as "intolerable noise."

She is also a plaintiff in a proposed civil class action lawsuit against Lich, Barber and other convoy organizers. 

Stephane Bellfoy, who was also living downtown during the protests, told the court it was difficult to get to and from his apartment building and honking was heard "at all hours."

"There was a lot of traffic, traffic wasn't moving, we always had to take alternative roads," he said. 

On Wednesday, Justice Heather Perkins-McVey ruled residents and business owners would be permitted to testify at the trial.

Crown lawyers are planning to use local witnesses, including business owners and residents, to illustrate the scope, nature and consequences of the protests to "rebut" any suggestion it was peaceful. 

They're planning to call five residents.

The Crown intends on calling an employee each from the National Arts Centre and OC Transpo on Friday. 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 

 
 

Crown to call Ottawa residents in convoy trial

Residents are expected to be start testifying Thursday

Crown lawyers intend on calling Ottawa residents impacted by what became known as the Freedom Convoy to testify in the criminal trial of two of the protest's organizers, after the court ruled it would permit their testimony.

Residents are expected to start testifying Thursday morning. 

Justice Heather Perkins-McVey ruled Wednesday that residents and business owners can testify in the trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, who are charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in January and February of 2022.

Crown lawyers argued the testimony of eight witnesses, including business owners and residents, was needed to illustrate the scope, nature and consequences of the protests to "rebut" any suggestion it was peaceful. 

The eight people were identified using survey information provided by Ottawa police that asked how they were impacted by the protests, including verbally and physically. 

But the defence had argued Lich and Barber were prepared to admit that actions of certain individuals participating in the protests resulted in interference with the lawful use or enjoyment of certain properties and businesses.

The defence was prepared to admit that residents and businesses were interfered with, and public transportation disrupted as a result protesters' actions.

Crown lawyers contended they were trying to prove more than what was covered in those admissions, leading to McVey-Perkins being required to rule on whether the testimony would be allowed. 

As the trial resumed for its 14th day, she ruled the residents and businesses could testify, citing a well-known principle in law that the Crown should be able to call a case "as it sees it" and is not required to accept admissions from the accused. 

Defence counsel had also argued the court should exercise its case management powers to stop the Crown from calling the witnesses and prevent further delays to make sure the trial is proceeding in an effective and orderly fashion. 

McVey-Perkins said this power is not a licence to exclude otherwise relevant and material evidence in the name of efficiency.

She said preventing the witnesses from testifying "goes beyond the case management" powers and would stop the Crown from calling the case as it sees fit. 

But she said she would still be limiting the evidence provided from the witnesses and would only be accepting what was relevant.

Her lengthy decision, delivered after court started an hour late because of technical delays, was made in front of a mostly full Ottawa courtroom.

After the decision was made, testimony was heard from an Ottawa police officer who compiled footage of the protests.

The trial sat for 13 days in September and was originally scheduled to take 16 in total, but the Crown's case has moved at a slow pace and additional dates are being added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 

Lich, Barber trial to restart with ruling on resident testimony

Trial continues after sitting 13 days in September

The judge overseeing the criminal matter for two leaders of what became known as the "Freedom Convoy" is expected to decide whether Ottawa residents will be able to testify when the trial resumes Wednesday. 

Justice Heather Perkins-McVey, who is overseeing the matter, had reserved a decision since the early days of the slow-moving trial. 

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in January and February 2022.

The Crown included several Ottawa residents and businesses on its proposed witness list and wants to use their testimony to show the court how the protest disrupted and intimidated people and businesses in the city.

Lawyers for Lich and Barber say that perspective isn't needed because the two accused are prepared to admit illegal activity took place during the weeks-long protest in Ottawa's downtown core. 

The trial sat for 13 days in September and was originally scheduled to take 16 in total, but the Crown's case has moved at a slow pace and additional dates are being added. 

Throughout the trial so far, Crown lawyers have argued the protest was anything but peaceful and introduced evidence gathered during the protests to demonstrate Lich and Barber "crossed the line" in committing the crimes they're accused of. 

The defence is arguing Lich and Barber consistently promoted peace and tried working with the city and police while they were in Ottawa. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 
 

Defence asks for meeting with judge to stop delays as trucker convoy trial breaks

Trial gets going again Oct. 11

The first three weeks of a criminal trial for two leaders of what became the "Freedom Convoy" ended Friday with defence lawyers requesting a "check in" as soon as possible with the judge to ensure the trial runs more smoothly when it returns in October. 

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in February 2022.

The trial continues to crawl along, with the Crown originally scheduled to take 10 days to make its case. 

Now 13 days in, only four of the more-than-20 witnesses the Crown intends on calling have testified.

The trial was originally scheduled to sit just 16 days but additional time is now being added. 

This case is not about their political beliefs.
- Tim Radcliffe, Crown prosecutor

There were issues with police disclosing a text message conversation they used during the protests that caused delay and a morning of court was essentially lost when a city official showed up without his notes.

Technical delays and lengthy videos submitted as evidence have also eaten up significant court time. 

Lawrence Greenspon, Lich's lawyer,  said he wants to ensure the Crown discloses what witnesses are being called, the purpose of the evidence and the documents supporting it. 

"My request to her honour was to have a check-in date so that the kinds of things that have been happening don't reoccur and in order to ensure that the trial does eventually get to an end," he said outside of court Friday. 

Justice Heather Perkins-McVey will meet Sept. 29 with lawyers to discuss those matters.

A woman walks toward a courthouse. People hold signs of support in the background including one saying 'FREEDOM.' Tamara Lich arrives for her trial at the Ottawa Courthouse on Sept. 11, 2023. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

The case so far

During opening statements, Crown lawyer Tim Radcliffe said the case is not about Lich and Barber's political views, but instead how they "crossed the line" in committing the crimes they're accused of. 

"This case is not about their political beliefs," Radcliffe said. "What is at issue here is the means they employed — not the end — the means to achieve their political purpose, and whether it was lawful or not."

Crown lawyers are arguing the protest was anything but peaceful and introduced evidence showing as much: videos and posts from the convoy with police witnesses guiding the court through that material. 

The videos are being used as examples of instances where the two leaders appear to be encouraging supporters to stay in Ottawa despite being told by police to leave. 

That includes when Lich, 51 and from Alberta, again told protesters to "hold the line" as she was being led away in police handcuffs on Feb. 17, three days after the Emergencies Act had been invoked.

A major police operation to clear the streets of protesters entirely began the following morning.  

In a video filmed on the eve of her being taken into custody, she tells her supporters to "keep fighting the good fight" and encourages them to come to Ottawa and "stand with us."

Three people walk past a sign for a provincial courthouse. Diane Magas, left, lawyer for Chris Barber, centre, walks with Tamara Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon to the Ottawa Courthouse on Sept. 19, 2023. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Barber, a 48-year-old trucker from Saskatchewan, is facing an additional charge of counselling others to disobey a Feb. 7, 2022 court order that banned loud honking in Ottawa's downtown core. 

Two days after the Ontario Superior Court granted the injunction against honking, Barber posted a video to TikTok warning supporters there were rumours police action could be coming within days.

In the video, introduced as evidence by the Crown, Barber said the "horns have to be quiet" — but if a trucker sees police enforcement starting, they should "grab that horn switch and don't let go of that."

"F--king go, no matter what time it is, and let it roll as long as possible until they're busting your f--king windows down."

Crown trying to show leaders had influence

Crown prosecutors are also trying to demonstrate Lich and Barber had control and influence over the protest in their capacity as leaders.

Serge Arpin, chief of staff to former mayor Jim Watson, testified the city reached a deal with Lich and Barber to move trucks out of residential areas and onto Wellington Street in front of Parliament because they were understood to represent the "broad, moderate leadership" of the protesters. 

The agreement was co-ordinated between Watson's office and convoy leaders. Watson announced the agreement Feb. 13 in a letter to Lich. 

Given the fact there were roughly 400 trucks in the downtown core, Watson agreed to allow up to 72 hours to move them. He also asked organizers to stop requesting more people join the protest in order to ensure the trucks were relocated. 

More than 100 vehicles were moved on Feb. 14, including about 40 trucks, with Barber on the ground helping make that happen.

Police stopped allowing more trucks to be moved that same day as the Emergencies Act was invoked by the federal government.

The next day, news broke that Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly would resign.

Protesters, trucks with sign FreedomConvoy20222, Canada and Canada flags outside Parliament Hill on snowy day Convoy protesters in Ottawa before police moved in. (CBC/Radio-Canada)

Defence says leaders promoted peace, worked with police

The defence is arguing Lich and Barber consistently promoted peace and tried working with the city and police while they were in Ottawa. 

"[Protesters] were directed how to get off the highway, what roads to take, where to park in the downtown core of Ottawa and on Wellington Street," Greenspon said outside of court earlier this week. "They didn't just end up there. They were directed there."

Diane Magas, Barber's lawyer, showed video of police and a former premier using the phrase "hold the line" to demonstrate it can mean different things to different people, and isn't necessarily a direction to continue protesting. 

Defence lawyers also showed video evidence of Lich and Barber encouraging supporters to work with police and remain peaceful. 

On Friday, they introduced evidence the city changed its bylaws on Feb. 9 to help enforcement against the protesters, including changing the threshold temperature that vehicles can legally idle at in cold weather.

Greenspon said it was entered as an "indication of how the city was treating protesters" ahead of meeting with them to negotiate the deal to move trucks onto Wellington a few days later. 

Supporters of Lich and Barber are in and outside the Ottawa courthouse each day, cheering them on as they leave.

Barber is driving back to his home in Saskatchewan with his wife. Lich is expected to stick around Ottawa a little longer. 

Both are expected to return when the trial starts again on Oct. 11. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Facts over feelings: Judge blasts Crown witness's 'irrelevant' testimony in Tamara Lich trial

#RebelNews http://TamaraTrial.com | http://HelpTamara.com 
On day 12 of the trial, Justice Heather Perkins-McVey questioned the 'relevance' of the prosecution's witness, noting that 'Findings of fact can't be based on feelings.'
 
 
 

Doubts over evidence and motives grow as day 11 of Tamara Lich's trial concludes

 
 

428 Comments

 
 
 

Court hears of failed deal to move truckers during convoy protests

Deal aimed to have trucks moved off residential streets and onto Wellington Street

Ottawa's manager of emergency and protective services testified Wednesday that the city struggled to keep emergency lanes open as streets were congested by illegally parked vehicles during the weeks-long truck convoy protest in the city.

Kim Ayotte was back in court for the criminal trial of two leaders of what became the "Freedom Convoy." 

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the February 2022 protests against COVID-19 measures, as well as other grievances with the federal government. 

The Crown is trying to establish the two had "control and influence" over the crowds and encouraged others to join the protests while also fundraising. 

"This case is not about their political beliefs," prosecutor Tim Radcliffe said in his opening. "What is at issue here is the means they employed — not the end — the means to achieve their political purpose, and whether it was lawful or not."

Brokering deal to have trucks moved to Wellington

Ayotte said plans to keep an emergency lane open on Wellington Street, which runs directly in front of Parliament Hill, failed and it was "lost" after the first night of protesting due to trucks being chained together to stop them from being moved.

He told court that despite losing the lane on Wellington, "several" of the emergency routes in residential neighbourhoods were maintained throughout the protest.

Ayotte was one of the city officials involved in brokering a deal with convoy organizers to have protesters move trucks out of residential areas and onto Wellington. 

He exchanged a series of text messages with Barber about moving trucks off residential streets.

On Feb. 13, former Ottawa mayor Jim Watson announced the details of a proposed deal with some protest organizers that would see 400 vehicles removed from residential areas.

Wellington Street was already home to dozens of large trucks, other vehicles and tents set up by protesters at that time. 

But the plan to move the trucks ultimately didn't come to fruition.

Someone enters a meeting room with a sign advertising the hearing. The Public Emergency Order Commission heard about plans to have trucks moved off residential streets during the protests. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Proposed deal came up at commission

Ayotte testified Wednesday that the city had limited information on police operations at the time.

At the Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC) held in October and November to examine the federal government's decision to invoke the Emergencies Act that ultimately ended the protests, more information about the proposed deal came to light. 

Steve Kanellakos, who was the city manager during the protests, told the POEC there were concerns from other security forces with the deal to bring trucks onto Wellington.

The Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS), tasked with keeping government buildings in the area secure, disagreed with the city's arrangement with some convoy organizers.

"The [security service] expressed concern with respect to Wellington being turned into a parking lot of 200-plus trucks," reads a summary of an interview Kanellakos gave to the commission. 

"The [police] then stopped moving vehicles close to Parliament Hill."

A city official listens during a meeting. Kim Ayotte, Ottawa's general manager of emergency & protectives services, at a city meeting in February 2023. Ayotte was testifying for the second day in a row at the trial of Barber and Lich. (Jean Delisle/CBC)

Evidence presented to the commission showed Larry Brookson, acting director of the PPS, took issue with the deal in an email he sent to Kanellakos.

"Quite honestly Steve I am at a loss as to how this sort of agreement could have been worked out with a clear disregard to security," the email said.

"Especially considering that we just finished a bomb blast assessment which included the threat of explosive being transferred via large vehicles."

The federal government was also not consulted on plans to move more trucks near Parliament Hill.

The commission heard the deal prompted about 40 large trucks and other light vehicles to leave five or six residential streets, but officials concluded protesters "did not respect their end of the bargain."

In court Wednesday, Ayotte testified that when he went to check if trucks had been moved, he saw none had left the city as was agreed upon. Instead, he said he saw vehicles "jockeying" for a better position closer to Wellington.

By Feb. 14, after the deal failed, police started warning protesters that it was time to leave and when the weekend came a few days later, they used forced to clear anyone refusing to go. Ultimately more than 100 people were arrested as part of the sweeping police action.

Ayotte told court he observed the convoy protests from his office, by walking around and by viewing traffic cameras. He said he heard honking almost constantly over the first two weeks of the protest and that the city received complaints about a diesel fume odour in the air. 

His testimony will continue Wednesday afternoon. 

The Crown had originally planned to call 22 witnesses over 10 days but proceedings are significantly behind schedule, and only three witnesses have completed their testimony.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
  
 

City official testifies in slow-moving convoy trial

Trial originally scheduled for 16 days will likely need more time

The criminal trial for two leaders of what became the "Freedom Convoy" continues to move at a glacial pace, with another series of delays coming Tuesday. 

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest in February 2022.

Kim Ayotte, Ottawa's manager of emergency and protective services, testified about the role he played during the trucker protests. He was in charge of the city's bylaw enforcement, fire and paramedic services as well as the department overseeing special events. Ayotte also exchanged text messages with Barber during the protests.

He told court that city officials were planning for a "worst case scenario" as the truckers approached Ottawa because the city lacked intelligence from law enforcement.

He said he decided bylaw officers, paramedics and other city services operating in the "red zone" impacted by the protests would be accompanied by Ottawa police officers. 

"We weren't sure of the risk level or the individuals involved and we were fearful for the safety of our officers, not knowing what the intent was of the protesters," he said. 

As has become a regular occurrence in the trial, defence lawyers objected to the line of questioning the witness was getting from the Crown multiple times.

A man holds hands with a woman as they walk to a courthouse. Someone holds a Canada flag in the background. Chris Barber arrives for his trial at the Ottawa Courthouse on Sept. 11, 2023. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Ayotte had to vacate the courtroom while lawyers deliberated over the appropriateness of questions being put to him. By the time court ended Tuesday, he had been asked to leave at least five times. 

"You have another witness, your honour, where the expansion of their evidence is not accompanied by the appropriate scope," said Lich's counsel Lawrence Greenspon.

After a series of starts and stops, Crown lawyer Siobhain Wetscher said she had taken the witness as far as she could for the day, and proceedings came to an end shortly after.

Ayotte is expected to return to the stand on Wednesday morning.

Witness didn't bring notes

His testimony had barely started on Tuesday when proceedings were stopped because he had not brought any notes. 

He told the court he didn't think he'd need them, but Greenspon said they would be needed during his cross-examination. 

"This was a surprise to me, as I said in court, that he showed up without his notes," he told reporters outside the courthouse. "His evidence is important." 

Greenspon said the notes are needed to give details on conversations he had, meetings he attended and actions he took.

"You would expect if he took notes, which we know he did, that he would show up in court with those notes to assist him, and refresh his memory as to details, dates and times," he said.

Court went on recess to allow Ayotte to retrieve his notes and he returned in the afternoon. 

A demonstrator carries a sign, as Canadian police work to restore normality to the capital while trucks and demonstrators continue to occupy the downtown core for more than three weeks to protest against pandemic restrictions in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 19, 2022.     A demonstrator carries a sign to protest against pandemic restrictions in Ottawa, Feb. 19, 2022. (Lars Hagberg/Reuters)

Looking for more trial dates

Defence lawyers slightly changed their stance on how they view some specific pieces of evidence on Tuesday.

Social media posts and videos from the Freedom Convoy 2022 Facebook page have been accepted as evidence. Crown lawyers are planning to use the posts to show Barber and Lich worked together, and evidence against one should apply to both.

Barber and Lich's lawyers argue the content is irrelevant if it wasn't posted directly by Lich or Barber, but now say they will make that argument on a post-by-post basis at the end of the trial.

Now in its third week, the trial continues to move at a slow pace — Crown lawyers are days behind the time allotted for them to make their arguments.

Already on its 10th day and with further delays potentially upcoming, Barber's lawyer Diane Magas threatened that if the trial slows because of the Crown, she would consider seeking an application to have the charges stayed because her client's right to be tried within a reasonable time would have been violated, also known as a Jordan application. 

Originally scheduled to sit for 16 days and wrap up in October, the judge-alone trial is now expected to take longer and court staff are looking for additional available dates in October and November. 

Corrections

  • A previous version of this story said charges would be withdrawn through a successful Jordan application. In fact, they would be stayed.
    Sep 20, 2023 11:46 AM ET

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

 

Convoy trial as contentious as trucker protests themselves

Day 9 of trial set for Monday; more time will likely be needed

A fruit fly-infested courtroom with shoddy technology, a nagging fluorescent light blinking in the corner and a fluctuating crowd of supporters have been part of the setting of the first eight days of the highly anticipated trial of truck convoy protest leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber.

Outside the Ottawa Courthouse, a dedicated group of supporters for the two leaders of the self-styled "Freedom Convoy" protest that blockaded large swaths of that city's downtown in the winter of 2022 gathers each day with signs saying things like "Free Tamara."

As expected, there hasn't been much debating what happened or the roles the two played — their actions were well-documented, often by themselves on their own social media feeds that exploded in popularity as the protest grew. 

That hasn't made the trial any less contentious.

Like the convoy itself, there is a significant wedge between how the protest was and is perceived and whether the actions of Lich and Barber are criminal.

Lich, Barber 'crossed the line': Crown

During opening statements, Crown lawyer Tim Radcliffe said the case is not about Lich and Barber's political views, but instead how they "crossed the line" in committing the crimes they're accused of. 

Crown lawyers are arguing the protest was anything but peaceful and have spent the first two weeks of trial introducing evidence showing as much: videos and posts from the convoy with police witnesses guiding the court through that material. 

Insp. Russell Lucas, the incident commander managing the convoy's impacts, told the court the number of people and vehicles in the downtown core "exceeded expectations."

Protesters were approved to park on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill, he said, because "that's where they wanted to be, that's the epicentre."

Then he said police soon realized protesters weren't going to leave. 

Resources were "stretched so thin" and crowds were becoming more "volatile" as the convoy lingered with officers more likely to be "swarmed" in attempts to take any enforcement action.

A small group of police officers in yellow vests walk past a long line of trucks parked on a city street. Someone carries a fuel can past the officers.     A protester carrying an empty fuel container on a broom handle walks on Metcalfe Street past Ontario Provincial Police officers Feb. 7, 2022 during the ongoing protest against COVIFD-19 rules in Ottawa. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

In a Feb. 14 press conference shown to the court, Lich promised the protest would stay peaceful even as the federal government was preparing to use the Emergencies Act to clear the streets. 

"No matter what you do, we will hold the line," Lich said in the video. 

Crown prosecutors are relying on the videos to help them demonstrate Lich and Barber had control and influence over the protest in their capacity as leaders.

A man walks into a courthouse surrounded by people in late summer. Chris Barber, third from right in plaid, walks into the Ottawa Courthouse Sept. 5, 2023, the day his trial began. (Francis Ferland/CBC)

The videos are being used as examples of instances where Lich appears to be encouraging supporters to stay in Ottawa despite being told by police to leave. 

That includes when Lich again told protesters to "hold the line" as she was being led away in police handcuffs on Feb. 17, three days after the Emergencies Act had been invoked. 

A major police operation to clear the streets of protesters entirely began the following morning.

A video filmed on the eve of her being taken into custody shows a tearful Lich predicting her pending arrest as she describes an expectation of being sent somewhere with "three squares a day." 

In the video she tells her supporters to "keep fighting the good fight" and encourages them to come to Ottawa and "stand with us."

In another video taken from Barber's TikTok account, he told truckers to "grab that horn switch" and "let it roll as long as possible" if police tried to dislodge them.

He tells supporters In another TikTok on Feb. 9 that if a trucker is arrested and ordered to leave the city, they will be replaced "with three new truckers."

Defence showing 'other side' of Freedom Convoy

Lich and Barber maintain the protests were organized to end COVID-19 mandates and defence lawyers are introducing their own videos showing a more peaceful side of the convoy.

Despite the disdain felt by Ottawa residents and others who followed along, the reality is that for many, the protests invoke only positive memories: a downtown core filled with peace, love and unity — bouncy castles, pig roasts and street hockey included. 

People stir and serve food in a square in front of a legislature in winter. There's a protest crowd around them. People stand in the Ottawa anti-pandemic rule protest 'red zone' in front of Parliament Hill Feb. 8, 2022. (Simon Lasalle/Radio-Canada)

And while prosecutors are able to point to instances of Barber and Lich urging supporters on, the two were also consistent in telling their followers to remain peaceful.

In one video, recorded as Lich was making her way to Ottawa, she tells her supporters being violent or threatening is "not our mandate."

"This is about your rights and freedoms, and we're not here to be violent or anything like that," she said. 

In another, she tells her viewers anyone caught breaking the law or promoting violence will be reported to the police.

Diane Magas, counsel for Barber, said presenting those videos would show the judge circumstances and context.

A court sketch of four people on a courtroom bench.     A court sketch of Ottawa truck convoy organizers Chris Barber, left, and Tamara Lich, right, from their appearance Sept. 5, 2023. (Lauren Foster-MacLeod/CBC)

The defence is also trying to demonstrate the popular refrain "hold the line" could be interpreted differently by different people and didn't necessarily act as a call to supporters to continue protesting. 

Magas showed a video of former Newfoundland premier Brian Peckford, who talks about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Peckford is the only living first minister who was involved in the agreement to repatriate and update the Canadian Constitution in the early 1980s and came to Ottawa supporting protesters. 

He uses the phrase "hold the line" in a speech given during the trucker protests.

"We're going to be arguing that there's inferences of lawful protesting behind those words for the former premier," she said.

Accused in court each day

Barber and Lich have sat in court each day behind their team of lawyers. 

They are facing charges that include mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest.

Lich, dressed impeccably each day with a unique style, is more likely to directly engage her counsel and stand with her lawyers as they discuss strategy during breaks.

She spends most of the breaks smoking cigarettes near her hired security, husband and occasionally a supporter.

From Medicine Hat, Alta., Lich will turn 51 this week. She's already spent 49 days in jail spread across two stints: the first when she was initially arrested, then again after she was picked up on a Canada-wide warrant for violating her bail conditions.

Woman with an entourage walking to Ottawa courthouse on a sunny day. Tamara Lich, centre, and her lawyer outside court. (Francis Ferland/Radio-Canada)

Barber, in an endless supply of plaid shirts, arrives each day with his wife and dutifully watches the proceedings, sometimes jotting notes into a notepad.

A 48-year-old trucker, Barber was released shortly after his arrest and returned to his home in Swift Current, Sask.

Trial expecting further delays

The prosecution is expected to introduce around 22 witnesses and hours of video as part of its case.

Originally scheduled to take 10 days, the Crown is still working its way through its first few witnesses after eight days of sitting and it's likely additional court dates will be needed. 

More police officers, city leadership and people who lived and worked downtown during the protests could all end up testifying. 

At times the trial has ground to a near-halt as lawyers argue over things like the admissibility of evidence or whether certain witnesses will be able to testify. 

The judge-alone trial was originally set to wrap in October after 16 days, but it is likely it will take longer. 

The trial continues Monday for its ninth day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

 
 
 

Defence shows peaceful side of 'Freedom Convoy' during trial

Thursday is 8th day of trial

Chris Barber's lawyers showed social media videos of the organizer of what became the "Freedom Convoy" promoting peace and respect for police during the eighth day of a criminal trial for two leaders of the protest that blockaded large swaths of downtown Ottawa during the winter of 2022. 

Barber, a 48-year-old trucker, is co-accused alongside Tamara Lich. The two are facing charges that include mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest. Barber faces an extra charge of counselling others to disobey a court order.

One of Barber's lawyers, Marwa Younes, spent much of Thursday morning introducing videos showing a more peaceful side of the protest than what had been brought forward by Crown prosecutors. 

A man and woman look behind them while seated in a meeting room. Freedom Convoy organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber wait for the Public Order Emergency Commission to begin Nov. 1, 2022 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

In those videos, Barber, who travelled from his home in Swift Current, Sask., to attend the protests, is seen consistently calling for protesters to stay peaceful and respect law enforcement. 

In a video he posted to TikTok on Feb. 10, Barber tells his thousands of viewers law enforcement had been "amazing" and he thanked them for doing "an awesome job."

In another, posted two days later, he tells supporters to comply with police if they are arrested. He was arrested Feb. 17, three days after, on Feb. 14, the Emergencies Act was invoked by the federal government to end the protests.

Diane Magas, counsel for Barber, said presenting those videos was to show the judge circumstances and context.

The defence also showed a video from the time the trucks were in Ottawa of former Newfoundland premier Brian Peckford, who talks about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Peckford is the only living first minister who was involved in the agreement to repatriate and update the Canadian Constitution in the early 1980s, and came to Ottawa supporting protesters. 

"We're going to determine the future course of our country so that every single person who lives in this country has the individual rights and freedoms that they not only deserve, but have under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms," Peckford said in the video, which was posted on Feb. 14.

"Hold the line."

Magas said the video of Peckford gives legitimacy to the protests and speaks to the state of mind of the protesters.

She said she can't interpret for the court what Peckford meant by stating "hold the line" but she said "it will certainly be argued that there's certainly not a suggestion that Mr. Peckford suggested anything criminal by those words, there's different interpretation for the words 'hold the line.'"

"We're going to be arguing that there's inferences of lawful protesting behind those words for the former premier," she said.

A man in a plaid shirt and glasses walks toward a courthouse on a summer morning. Chris Barber, centre, arrives for his trial at the Ottawa Courthouse on Sept. 5, 2023. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

The Crown and defence will be at odds over how best to interpret the phrase, and what it meant to Lich and Barber. 

In a video presented by the Crown earlier this week from a Feb. 14, 2022 press conference, Lich promised the protest would stay peaceful even as the federal government was preparing to use the Emergencies Act to clear the streets. 

"No matter what you do, we will hold the line," Lich, who is from from Medicine Hat, Alta., said in the video. 

Crown lawyers said it was important to note what was — and wasn't — said through various social media channels from the "Freedom Convoy" organizers.

Asked to provide an example of what was not said, prosecutor Tim Radcliffe said "go home," "park somewhere else" and "stop honking."

A woman walks toward a courthouse. People hold signs of support in the background including one saying 'FREEDOM.' Tamara Lich arrives for her trial at the Ottawa Courthouse on Sept. 11, 2023. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

The Crown is trying to use videos and other social media evidence to show Lich and Barber had influence and control over the protesters in their capacity as leaders.

They are also arguing pieces of evidence against one of the accused should apply to both, saying the two acted in tandem.  

Defence lawyers plan to argue some of that information isn't relevant and shouldn't be admitted as evidence.

Justice Heather Perkins-McVey is expected to rule on that, and whether residents and businesses impacted by the convoy can testify, later in the trial. 

Thursday's proceedings ended with one of Lich's lawyers, Eric Granger, showing a series of posts from the Freedom Convoy 2022 Facebook page and other social media depicting the protest as peaceful and unified.

In one, recorded as Lich was making her way to Ottawa, she tells her supporters being violent or threatening is "not our mandate."

"This is about your rights and freedoms, and we're not here to be violent or anything like that," she said. 

In another, she tells her viewers anyone caught breaking the law or promoting violence will be reported to the police. 

Originally set to end in October, the trial has endured eight slow-moving days and the court is now preparing additional dates — but court is not scheduled to sit Friday.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
 
 
 
 

Truck convoy trial continues with video of accused

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber facing multiple charges

Crown prosecutors continued to play hours of video during the seventh day of trial for Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, organizers of the self-described "Freedom Convoy" in Ottawa who are facing criminal charges for the role they played in the 2022 protests.

But the recordings are not being submitted as evidence right now because the judge overseeing the matter has yet to determine if Crown prosecutors will be able to rely on them and other evidence pulled from social media to build their case. 

Lich and Barber are facing charges that include mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest that snarled up downtown Ottawa in winter 2022.

The videos the judge will rule on include press conferences featuring Lich with other convoy leaders, a video she made the night before her arrest, videos taken from a social media page and others. 

In a Feb. 14 press conference, Lich promised the protest would stay peaceful even as the federal government was preparing to use the Emergencies Act to clear the streets. 

"No matter what you do, we will hold the line," Lich said in the video. 

A man and woman speak while seated in a meeting room. 'Freedom Convoy' organizers Tamara Lich, left, and Chris Barber speak as they wait for the Public Order Emergency Commission to begin Nov. 1, 2022 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Crown prosecutors are relying on the videos to help them demonstrate Lich and Barber had control and influence over the protest in their capacity as leaders. They are also trying to establish evidence against one of them should apply to both, essentially arguing the two acted in tandem. 

Crown prosecutor Tim Radcliffe told the court he wants to share the statements on social media made by Lich and others on the official "Freedom Convoy 2022" Facebook page.

He said the posts don't exist in a vacuum and the context of them is important because it shows the scope of influence the two accused had over their supporters.

Radcliffe said it is important for the court to consider what was said — and not said — on social media to that audience.

Asked to provide an example of what was not said, Radcliffe said "go home," "park somewhere else" and "stop honking."

Multiple videos used

The videos are also being used as examples of instances where Lich appears to be encouraging supporters to stay in Ottawa despite being told by police to leave. 

That includes when Lich told protesters to "hold the line" as she was being led away in police handcuffs on Feb. 17, two days after the Emergencies Act had been invoked. 

A major police operation to clear the streets of protestors entirely began the following morning.

A video filmed on the eve of her arrest shows a tearful Lich predicting her pending arrest as she describes an expectation of being sent somewhere with "three squares a day." 

In the video she tells her supporters to "keep fighting the good fight" and encourages them to come to Ottawa and "stand with us."

Ottawa police Sgt. Joanne Pilotte was a witness helping Crown lawyers identify specific videos for the court. Pilotte, the fourth officer to testify for the Crown who has now been on the stand for several days, was responsible for capturing videos from the protest posted online. 

Lawyers will be able to argue whether the evidence can be used at a later date.

The defence began its cross-examination of Pilotte as Wednesday's sitting ended. 

Counsel for Barber, Marwa Younes, had started showing a series of videos from Barber's TikTok page where he talks about the protest staying peaceful and co-operating with police. 

The Crown is hoping to call more than 20 witnesses to testify against Barber and Lich. 

Lawyers for the defence are arguing the already-slow-moving trial could drag on longer if downtown residents and business owners are allowed to testify as the Crown intends.

The trial is days behind schedule and the court is already looking at adding time to the proceedings.

Should residents be allowed to testify?

Earlier this week, Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon attempted blocking testimony from a handful of proposed Crown witnesses whose testimony he says would be irrelevant to anything at issue in the case. 

Crown lawyer Siobhain Wetscher called the evidence of the witnesses "critical." She said they lived through the disruption the convoy inflicted on downtown Ottawa, and could give first-hand observations relevant to its impact on the city.

But Greenspon said the evidence is unnecessary because the defence is willing to admit to some of those allegations, including that "there were individuals who interfered with the enjoyment of property" in downtown Ottawa.

"We've made that admission, so why do we have to spend two and a half days, and it may be more, getting the Crown to prove that we've admitted it?" he said.

One of the witnesses on the Crown's list is Zexi Li, a plaintiff in a civil trial against the convoy organizers. Justice Heather Perkins-McVey, who is presiding over the criminal trial, noted that Li "may have an underlying motive" for testifying.

Perkins-McVey is expected to rule on the admissibility of the evidence and the witnesses later in the trial.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

 


Defence calls resident testimony in 'Freedom Convoy' trial unnecessary

Lawyer for convoy organizer Tamara Lich looking to block Crown witnesses who lived through it

The lawyer for Tamara Lich, co-organizer of the self-described "Freedom Convoy," is warning that an already slow-moving trial could drag on for ages if downtown residents and business owners are allowed to testify.

Lich and co-accused Chris Barber are facing charges that include mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police for their role in the weeks-long protest that snarled up downtown Ottawa in winter 2022.

As their trial enters its second week, defence lawyer Lawrence Greenspon looked to block the testimony of eight or nine Crown witnesses whose testimony he cast as irrelevant to anything at issue in the case.

"We all know where this is going. This is going to be the, 'Oh woe is me, look what happened to me, how my life was impacted, look how my business suffered,'" he said after proceedings ended on Monday.

"If that evidence was to be called as part of the trial, then we're perfectly entitled as the defence to call a whole bunch of businesses that prospered during the Freedom Convoy."

'Best evidence' will come from civilians, Crown says

Crown lawyer Siobhain Wetscher called the evidence of the witnesses "critical." She said they lived through the disruption the convoy inflicted on downtown Ottawa, and could give first-hand observations relevant to its impact on the city.

But Greenspon said the evidence is unnecessary because the defence is willing to admit to some of those allegations, including that "there were individuals who interfered with the enjoyment of property" in downtown Ottawa.

"We've made that admission, so why do we have to spend two and a half days, and it may be more, getting the Crown to prove that we've admitted it?" he said.

According to Greenspon, the Crown is effectively trying to introduce witness impact statements in the middle of a trial. He said Crown lawyers have been unresponsive to his attempts to negotiate the text of an admission that could satisfy everyone.

"All they said is, 'We don't want to, we don't have to, and the court shouldn't make us.' That's their position in a nutshell," Greenspon said of the Crown.

Protesters, trucks with sign FreedomConvoy20222, Canada and Canada flags outside Parliament Hill on snowy day Protestors gather in front of Parliament Hill in February 2022, as part of 'Freedom Convoy' demonstrations. The Crown lawyer in the trial of lead convoy organizers says evidence from the people and businesses who lived through the convoy is 'critical.' (CBC/Radio-Canada)

Wetscher said she foresees disagreement over the extent of the disruption and gridlock caused by the convoy. She said a sample of citizens who lived through it will provide better evidence of the facts than anything the defence will admit. 

She went through the witnesses one by one, detailing their struggles with noise, traffic, urination, garbage, blocked deliveries and the smell of exhaust.

"The Crown maintains that the best evidence will come from the civilians, as is its right, and we respectfully declined the admission," she said.

One of the witnesses on the Crown's list is Zexi Li, a plaintiff in a civil trial against the convoy organizers. Justice Heather Perkins-McVey, who is presiding over the criminal trial, noted that Li "may have an underlying motive" for testifying.

Value of witness testimony could be limited 

Perkins-McVey questioned whether any of the witnesses, who never had any direct dealings with either of the accused, would be of much value to the Crown's case.

"The value of some of this evidence might be quite limited," she said. "I just don't know if this evidence is going to have the weight that you hope."

Like Greenspon, she said it could open the door to the defence calling witnesses from businesses that were "run off their feet" by patrons from the convoy. She mentioned Tim Hortons as one example.

If that door is opened, she worried, "the trial will run on ad infinitum." (Ad infinitum is a Latin phrase meaning "to infinity.")

Greenspon is expected to reply to the Crown's arguments later this week. Pending that, Perkins-McVey has made no decision on whether she will hear from the witnesses.

But even if she does, she plans to keep them on a tight leash. She said she'd act as a "gatekeeper" to allow only relevant testimony.

"It'll be a very tight gate," she said. "There will be lots of locks on the gate if I allow the witnesses to testify."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arthur White-Crummey is a reporter at CBC Ottawa. He has previously worked as a reporter in Saskatchewan covering the courts, city hall and the provincial legislature. You can reach him at arthur.white-crummey@cbc.ca.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

 

 

Blast horns 'as long as possible' if police move in, convoy protesters told in video

Warning: This story contains offensive language

One of the organizers of the 2022 convoy protests in Ottawa told truckers to "grab that horn switch" and "let it roll as long as possible" if police tried to dislodge them, according to video played at his trial Thursday.

Those comments from Chris Barber appear in hours' worth of video shown on the third day of the trial of Barber and his co-accused, Tamara Lich.

The two organizers of what's become known as the "Freedom Convoy" are facing charges for the role they played in spearheading the protests against COVID-19 restrictions, which gridlocked large swaths of downtown Ottawa for several weeks.

Barber and Lich are charged with mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police. 

Barber is facing an additional charge of counselling others to disobey a Feb. 7, 2022 court order that banned loud honking in Ottawa's downtown core.

The majority of videos introduced as evidence so far have featured Barber, a trucker from Swift Current, Sask., whose social media exploded in popularity leading up to and during the protests. 

As the videos sourced from his TikTok account played, Barber sat in the first row of the courtroom, directly behind his lawyers, occasionally jotting notes into a notebook.

Two people walk away from a courthouse in summer as videographers aim cameras as them. Chris Barber, seen here on the first day of the trial, also urged 'everybody and their f--king dog' to descend on Ottawa in one of several videos he posted to social media. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Get to Ottawa 'by any means necessary'

Two days after the Ontario Superior Court granted the injunction against honking, Barber posted a video to TikTok warning supporters there were rumours police action could be coming within days.

In the video, Barber says the "horns have to be quiet" — but if a trucker sees police enforcement starting, they should "grab that horn switch and don't let go of that."

"F--king go, no matter what time it is, and let it roll as long as possible until they're busting your f--king windows down," he says.

Another TikTok video posted on Feb. 9 tells supporters that if a trucker is arrested and ordered to leave the city, they will be replaced "with three new truckers."

"When the call goes out guys, everybody and their f--king dog get coming to Ottawa because we need all the help we can get," he says. 

In a third video posted two days earlier, Barber warns supporters of rumours that police are on their way to Ottawa.

He instructs them to get to the city "by any means necessary" to peacefully protest if Barber and other organizers "go dark." 

Proceedings moving slowly

Originally scheduled to sit 16 days, the trial is already at least two days behind schedule. Technological issues and other delays have at times brought the proceedings to a crawling pace. 

That happened again Thursday, as court wrapped up early to allow lawyers to consider legal arguments over issues that have come up over the admissibility of certain evidence — specifically, some of the social media posts.

Eric Granger, a lawyer for Lich, said different people have different levels of knowledge and comfort when it comes to how such evidence is used in court. 

"The rules of court have been around a lot longer than social media has been, and we're all still adapting," he said.

The Crown is also seeking to prove that Lich and Barber conspired together during the protest, and that evidence against one of them would apply to both. The pair's lawyers are opposing this.

A smattering of about a dozen people joined the two accused inside the courtroom Thursday, and a crowd about half that size gathered outside the courthouse. 

 
Ottawa Morning5:50Recap of day three of convoy leaders' trial
 
CBC’s David Fraser has been covering the criminal trial for Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, two organizers of what's become known as the 'Freedom Convoy.' He shares what’s been happening inside an Ottawa courtroom as hours' worth of video was shown on the third day of the trial.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/2022-convoy-protest-trial-organizers-lich-barber-day-two-1.6958120 

Scope of convoy protest 'exceeded expectations,' co-organizers' trial hears

Senior OPS inspector testifies on 2nd day of Tamara Lich, Chris Barber trial

A senior Ottawa police officer who helped oversee operational plans in the early days of what became known as the "Freedom Convoy" says the number of people and vehicles in the downtown core "exceeded expectations."

Insp. Russell Lucas, the incident commander managing the convoy's impacts, made those remarks while testifying on the second day of the criminal trial for two of the main convoy organizers. 

The charges against Tamara Lich and Chris Barber include mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police. 

The second day of their trial saw a smaller group of supporters in the courtroom than on Tuesday.

Lucas told court that in the early days of the protests — which started at the tail end of January 2022 — the focus was on keeping public order and mitigating the impact on the community.

Protesters were approved to park on Wellington Street in front of Parliament, he said, because "that's where they wanted to be, that's the epicentre." 

While the demonstration was initially expected to last just one weekend, Lucas said police knew a core group of protesters could remain.

But they soon realized the size and scope of the convoy protests was larger than anticipated. 

Police had originally predicted about 100 vehicles would arrive from each province, but Lucas said numbers "well exceeded that." Roughly 5,000 vehicles had congested the downtown core by the end of the protest's first weekend, he said, with the number of protesters swelling to around 10,000 people.

A woman walks toward a courthouse on a summer day. Tamara Lich makes her way back to the Ottawa Courthouse following a brief break on the first day of her trial on Tuesday. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Resources 'stretched so thin'

Thousands of people, big-rig trucks and private vehicles ended up gridlocking Ottawa for several weeks to protest COVID-19 public health measures and the federal Liberal government, which eventually used the Emergencies Act to end the demonstrations.

Lucas told court that as numbers swelled, the force's plans were changing by the hour and resources were "stretched so thin".

Although about two-thirds of the protesters left after the first weekend, the footprint of the remaining vehicles was sprawled across the downtown core, Lucas said.

Lucas told the court as the convoy lingered it became more "volatile," with officers more likely to be "swarmed" by crowds if they tried to take enforcement action.

He said he approved a plan to allow more vehicles onto Wellington to shrink that footprint and provide nearby neighbourhoods some relief, while concentrating police enforcement in one location.

But that plan was rejected by then-chief Peter Sloly, Lucas testified, saying he was told by superior officers that "we're not giving them one inch."

A man in a plaid shirt and glasses walks toward a courthouse on a summer morning. Chris Barber, centre, arrives for his trial at the Ottawa Courthouse on Tuesday. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

The inspector said that rejecting the approved plan undermined the work of liaison officers who'd negotiated it with the protesters.

It also made it harder for police to carry out enforcement, Lucas said, given the large geographic area protesters continued to occupy.

During cross-examination from Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, Lucas said he didn't go to the protests himself or have any contact with the two leaders on trial.

Lucas is the second Crown witness called in the highly-anticipated trial, which is expected to last about 16 days. 

The Crown's case will hinge less on the actions of Lich and Barber and more on whether those actions were criminal. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

 

 

Trial for convoy leaders Lich and Barber starts with police witness

Tamara Lich, Chris Barber arrived in Ottawa court Tuesday and greeted by supporters

The high profile trial of two "Freedom Convoy" leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber began Tuesday, with Crown lawyers calling on an Ottawa police officer to testify.

The court was shown an 11-minute video of police footage gathered during the protests that became known as the "Freedom Convoy" in February 2022, but much of the first day was dedicated to dealing with court housekeeping matters.

Lich and Barber helped lead thousands of protesters and a convoy of truckers to Ottawa, who occupied the streets of Ottawa for nearly four weeks. They rallied the protesters, and told them to "hold the line" when police tried to break up the honking crowds. They also raised millions of dollars for the movement.

The charges against Lich and Barber include mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief and intimidation.

During opening statements at the Ontario Court of Justice, Crown lawyer Tim Radcliffe said the case is not about Lich and Barber's political views, but instead how they "crossed the line" in committing the crimes they're accused of. 

Lich and Barber have maintained the protests were organized to end COVID-19 mandates.

WATCH | Crown intends to call more than 20 witnesses at trial:
 

Trial for convoy protest leaders gets underway

Duration 1:52
The high-profile trial of convoy protest leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber begins in Ottawa. Both are accused of mischief, conspiracy to commit mischief, intimidation and obstructing police.

22 witnesses expected, including former mayor

A small crowd of supporters gathered in and outside the Ottawa courthouse Tuesday. Lich and Barber arrived shortly before the proceedings began and were greeted by their fans. 

The two sat in the first row of seats behind their lawyers, flanked by a courtroom of supporters and other onlookers, including news reporters.

Lich arrived in a navy blue suit and crisp white shirt. Barber arrived in a plaid shirt and jeans.

Man in a plaid shirt walks into court. Chris Barber walks into court on Tuesday in Ottawa. (Francis Ferland/CBC)

Day one of the trial began Tuesday with Crown lawyers detailing some of the evidence they intend on calling.

Their highly anticipated, judge-alone trial will hear from several witnesses and view hundreds of pieces of evidence, including 50 videos. The trial is expected to last at least 16 days. 

Radcliffe said around 22 witnesses are expected to be called, including senior Ottawa police leadership, city officials and people who lived and worked downtown during the protests in February 2022.

Former Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and other people working in his office during the convoy are also expected to appear on the stand.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Fraser

Reporter

David Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

 

 

 

Barber did not appear in the videos shown Wednesday, though the Crown hopes to prove the two worked together so closely that evidence against one of them would apply to both.

The press conferences from Feb. 6 and 9 were streamed live on Facebook, and feature Lich and other prominent spokespeople taking questions from independent media outlets.

Both videos feature organizers sitting on a couch in what appears to be a hotel room. Lich was seen sitting in the centre of the frame, but she spoke very little in either video.

Dichter and others spoke about how the protest was putting pressure on governments to change public health measures, how they expected police to respond, and their distrust of "legacy media."

Lich left the frame half an hour into the 75-minute video from Feb. 9.

The press conferences were among dozens of social media posts and messages compiled by Ottawa police Sgt. Joanne Pilotte, who has been on the stand for several days.

The defence is arguing the videos should not be admitted as evidence in the trial, which is being heard by a judge.

Lich's lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, has said that his team plans to argue that much of the proposed evidence taken from the "Freedom Convoy 2022" is irrelevant to the charges laid against Barber and Lich.

The lawyers are expected to argue their position on the admissibility of the Facebook evidence later in the trial.

Eric Granger, another of Lich's lawyers, had requested to settle the admissibility question before he begins to cross-examine Pilotte, but Justice Heather Perkins-McVey has said that discussion may be premature.

 

https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-law/common-law/faculty/granger-eric 

 

Eric Granger

Eric Granger
Eric Granger
Part-time Professor



 

https://gghlawyers.ca/who-we-are/our-team/eric-granger/

Eric Granger

Eric Granger is a criminal defence lawyer who focusses on defending the little guy against the coercive power of the state. He represents clients at all stages of the criminal process, from bail hearings to trials to appeals.

In addition to his substantial trial practice, Eric also has a particular interest in appeals. An appeal is when an individual challenges what they believe to be a wrongful conviction or overly harsh sentence in order to preserve their good name. Eric has argued appeals before the Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court, Ontario Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Canada, and various administrative boards and tribunals.

Eric benefits from having a combined trial and appellate practice. His experience as a trial lawyer gives him a fulsome understanding of the dynamics of the trial process when going to argue an appeal from a trial decision, and his experience as an appeal lawyer ensures he is acutely aware of conducting your trial in a way that maximizes the chances of a successful appeal if the trial judge makes an error.

Eric received his LL.B. (Magna Cum Laude) from the Common Law Program at the University of Ottawa in 2004 after receiving his B.Arts Sc. (Summa Cum Laude) with a minor in biology from the Arts & Science Program at McMaster University in 2001. Eric articled for Greenspon, Brown & Associates (predecessor to Greenspon Granger Hill) after graduating, and continued practicing with Lawrence Greenspon and Trevor Brown for over 12 years after his call to the bar. Since Trevor Brown's appointment as a judge, Eric now proudly practices in association with Lawrence Greenspon and Tina Hill at Greenspon Granger Hill.

In addition to his work at Greenspon Granger Hill, Eric is also a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa law school where he has taught appellate advocacy since 2015. He is also a member of the Steering Committee at the University of Ottawa Community Legal Clinic, which aids low income individuals with a variety of legal issues, and is a board member and Vice President of the Collaborative Justice Program at the Ottawa Courthouse, which promotes the resolution of criminal charges through restorative justice means. He is formerly Treasurer of the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa. Eric is regularly asked to write or speak on criminal law and the law of evidence at conferences and before groups of lawyers, law students, and the judiciary.

Eric is a member of the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa, the Criminal Lawyers’ Association, and the County of Carleton Law Association and, along with Lawrence Greenspon, was the recipient of the 2017 William Carroll Award, presented by the Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa, for criminal case of the year in Ottawa.

 eric@gghlawyers.ca

  (613) 288-2890

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario <Premier@ontario.ca>
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 22:15:25 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks Tamara Lich's lawyers must have
known that Moiz Karimjee was on vacation N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued.

You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read,
reviewed and taken into consideration.

There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
response may take several business days.

Thanks again for your email.
______

Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de
nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.

Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.

Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.

Merci encore pour votre courriel.



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Ahadjitse, Rolanda (MAG)" <Rolanda.Ahadjitse@ontario.ca>
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 22:15:25 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks Tamara Lich's lawyers must have
known that Moiz Karimjee was on vacation N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

Please note that I will be out of office from June 28th to July 15th
and will not have access to my email during this time. For all SCJ
matters please send an email to Olivia Khalil at
Olivia.Khalil@ontario.ca

For all other matters please contact the Crown's Office at (613)
239-1200 or CrownAdminOttawa@ontario.ca<

mailto:CrownAdminOttawa@ontario.ca>

Thank you!




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Bergen, Candice - M.P." <candice.bergen@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 22:15:24 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks Tamara Lich's lawyers must have
known that Moiz Karimjee was on vacation N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

On behalf of the Hon. Candice Bergen, thank you for contacting the
Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition.

Ms. Bergen greatly values feedback and input from Canadians.  We read
and review every incoming e-mail.  Please note that this account
receives a high volume of e-mails.  We reply to e-mails as quickly as
possible.

If you are a constituent of Ms. Bergen’s in Portage-Lisgar with an
urgent matter please provide complete contact information.  Not
identifying yourself as a constituent could result in a delayed
response.

Once again, thank you for writing.

Sincerely,

Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Au nom de l’hon. Candice Bergen, nous vous remercions de communiquer
avec le Bureau de la cheffe de l’Opposition officielle.

Mme Bergen accorde une grande importance aux commentaires des
Canadiens.  Nous lisons et étudions tous les courriels entrants.
Veuillez noter que ce compte reçoit beaucoup de courriels.  Nous y
répondons le plus rapidement possible.

Si vous faites partie de l’électorat de Mme Bergen dans la
circonscription de Portage-Lisgar et que votre affaire est urgente,
veuillez fournir vos coordonnées complètes.  Si vous ne le faites pas,
cela pourrait retarder la réponse.

Nous vous remercions une fois encore d’avoir pris le temps d’écrire.

Veuillez agréer nos salutations distinguées,

Bureau de la cheffe de l’Opposition officielle




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Comeau, Mike (JPS/JSP)" <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 22:15:21 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks Tamara Lich's lawyers must have
known that Moiz Karimjee was on vacation N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

I will return to the office July 18 . In the meatime, Chris O'Connell
(chris.o'connell@gnb.ca) is acting deputy minister.

Je reviendrai au bureau le 18 juillet. Entre-temps, Chris O'Connell
(chris.o'connell@gnb.ca) est sous-ministre par intérim.



---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 19:13:04 -0300
Subject: Methinks Tamara Lich's lawyers must have known that Moiz
Karimjee was on vacation N'esy Pas?
To: ahelmer@postmedia.com, dan@ottawalife.com, "macpherson.don"
<macpherson.don@brunswicknews.com>, lawrence@gghlawyers.ca,
"david.fraser" <david.fraser@mcinnescooper.com>, David.Fraser@cbc.ca,
premier@ontario.ca, stefanos.karatopis@gmail.com,
sheilagunnreid@gmail.com, eric@gghlawyers.ca, "Marco.Mendicino"
<Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, pm
<pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Katie.Telford" <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>,
"Candice.Bergen" <Candice.Bergen@parl.gc.ca>,
natasha.calvinho@gmail.com, Moiz.Karimjee@ontario.ca, "Brenda.Lucki"
<Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Bill.Hogan" <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>,
"Mark.Blakely" <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Mike.Comeau"
<Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, Norman Traversy <traversy.n@gmail.com>, Newsroom
<Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, livefromtheshed2022@gmail.com,
meghan.grant@cbc.ca, lexharvey@thestar.ca, darren.major@cbc.ca,
blilley@postmedia.com, brigitte.bureau@radio-canada.ca, kingpatrick278
<kingpatrick278@gmail.com>, "freedomreport.ca"
<freedomreport.ca@gmail.com>, media <media@veterans4freedom.ca>
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>,
Rolanda.Ahadjitse@ontario.ca, olivia.khalil@ontario.ca, premier
<premier@gov.ab.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>,
PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, premier <premier@gov.pe.ca>, premier
<premier@gov.bc.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, "blaine.higgs"
<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "fin.minfinance-financemin.fin"
<fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>

 https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2022/05/crown-trying-to-put-freedom-convoy.html

Wednesday, 18 May 2022

Crown trying to put Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich back in jail


 ---------- Original message ----------
From: "Karimjee, Moiz (MAG)" <Moiz.Karimjee@ontario.ca>
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2022 03:06:48 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Ed Fast: Freedom? Yeah, right… | Ed Fast:
Liberté? Et oui Hey Bill King what will your boss and legions of Proud
Canadians do if the Crown takes Tamara Lich's Freedom after celebating
the Queen's Birthday???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>

I am on vacation until July 8th. For Bail Reviews (including
discussing time estimates), Superior Court, Summary Appeal, Trial,
Hate Crime or any other matter requiring immediate attention please
email Rolanda Ahadjitse at Rolanda.Ahadjitse@ontario.ca and Olivia
Khalil at olivia.khalil@ontario.ca

Moiz Karimjee
Assistant Crown Attorney


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/freedom-convoy-tamara-lich-in-custody-canada-day-1.6507057


Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich to remain in custody over Canada Day weekend
Lich was arrested in Alberta on Monday for allegedly breaching her
bail conditions

Dan Taekema · CBC News · Posted: Jun 30, 2022 4:23 PM ET


Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich talks to reporters Feb. 14, 2022
in Ottawa. Lich made a brief video appearance in an Ottawa courtroom
Thursday after being arrested for allegedly breaching her bail
conditions. (Frédéric Pepin/Radio-Canada)

Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich will remain in custody over the
Canada Day weekend after she was arrested this week for allegedly
breaching her bail conditions.

Lich was taken into custody in Medicine Hat, Alta., on Monday after
Ottawa police issued a Canada-wide warrant for her arrest. She was
brought back to the nation's capital and made a brief court appearance
Thursday.

Crown prosecutor Moiz Karimjee requested a full day for a bail
hearing, which is scheduled to take place on July 5.

Lich remains in custody as several groups — most of which formed out
of the Freedom Convoy — are planning protests in Ottawa starting on
July 1 and continuing throughout the summer.

She appeared on video from an Ottawa police cell, wearing a grey
sweatshirt with the words "Freedom Over Fear" printed on it.

    Tamara Lich admits accepting award is related to Freedom Convoy in
fiery day in court

    Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich arrested in Alberta, accused of
breaching bail conditions

Eric Granger, Lich's defence lawyer, said July 5 was the earliest date
available.

"The only new charge she's been arrested on is a single charge of
breaching a single bail condition, [she] will be on her ninth day in
custody since her arrest before she even gets the opportunity to
regain her liberty," he wrote in an email to CBC.

Lich faces charges of mischief, counselling mischief, obstructing
police, counselling to obstruct police, counselling intimidation, and
intimidation by blocking and obstructing one or more highways in
relation to the protest.

The anti-COVID-19-mandate protest shut down some areas of Ottawa for
three weeks as participants parked trucks and other vehicles on city
streets, blocking access to neighbourhoods and main arteries around
Parliament Hill.
Released in March

Lich was arrested on Feb. 17 and spent about 18 days at the
Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre before she was released on bail in
March on conditions which include staying off social media.

She was subjected to a bail review last month, but prosecutors were
unsuccessful in trying to have her brought back into custody for
allegedly violating her bail condition that she not support anything
related to the Freedom Convoy.

Lich also cannot organize any kind of protest and is not allowed to
contact several of the other convoy leaders, including Tom Marazzo,
unless in the presence of counsel.

While it's not yet clear which bail conditions she is accused of
breaching, there was speculation online that Lich might be in legal
trouble over a Facebook photo that shows her beside Marazzo at an
awards ceremony in Toronto on June 16 put on by the Justice Centre for
Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), a legal organization and registered
charity based in Calgary.

Tamara Lich, fourth from the left, was ordered by a judge to have no
contact with fellow convoy organizer Tom Marazzo, second from the
right. This photo shows the group in Toronto after Lich accepted her
freedom award from the JCCF. (Facebook/Stacey Kauder )

Friends of the two convoy organizers speculated on social media that
Lich was allowed to have contact with Marazzo at the event because
lawyers for the JCCF, who also represent Lich in her civil matters,
were present.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Taekema

Reporter

Dan Taekema is a reporter with CBC Ottawa. He has worked for CBC News
in Hamilton, Windsor and Toronto and for newspapers across southern
Ontario. You can reach him by emailing daniel.taekema@cbc.ca.

    Follow @DanTaekema on Twitter

With files from Meghan Grant, Kristy Nease and David Fraser
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices

On 6/29/22, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2022 14:52:46 -0300
> Subject: YO Lawrence Greenspon I called again about your client Madame
> Lich and attempted to speak with Eric Granger Correct?
> To: lawrence@gghlawyers.ca, "david.fraser"
> <david.fraser@mcinnescooper.com>, David.Fraser@cbc.ca,
> premier@ontario.ca, stefanos.karatopis@gmail.com,
> sheilagunnreid@gmail.com, eric@gghlawyers.ca, "Marco.Mendicino"
> <Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, pm
> <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Katie.Telford" <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>,
> "Candice.Bergen" <Candice.Bergen@parl.gc.ca>,
> natasha.calvinho@gmail.com, Moiz.Karimjee@ontario.ca, "Brenda.Lucki"
> <Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Bill.Hogan" <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>,
> "Mark.Blakely" <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Mike.Comeau"
> <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, Norman Traversy <traversy.n@gmail.com>, Newsroom
> <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>
> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>,
> livefromtheshed2022@gmail.com, meghan.grant@cbc.ca,
> lexharvey@thestar.ca, darren.major@cbc.ca, blilley@postmedia.com,
> brigitte.bureau@radio-canada.ca
>
> https://gghlawyers.ca/who-we-are/our-team/eric-granger/
>
> "Eric Granger is a criminal defence lawyer who focusses on defending
> the little guy against the coercive power of the state. He represents
> clients at all stages of the criminal process, from bail hearings to
> trials to appeals."
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXxOMUgm70U&ab_channel=LiveFromTheShed
>
> Tamara Lich Arrested in Alberta
> 22,817 views
> Streamed live on Jun 28, 2022
> Live From The Shed
> 36.9K subscribers
> Tamara Lich has been arrested again after the RCMP issued a nation
> wide warrant for breaching her release order.
>
>
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/freedom-convoy-tamara-lich-arrested-1.6503718
>
> Freedom convoy leader Tamara Lich arrested in Alberta, accused of
> breaching bail conditions
> Lich told her lawyer she is expecting to be transported to Ontario in
> the next week
>
> Meghan Grant · CBC News · Posted: Jun 27, 2022 7:52 PM MT
>
> Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich has been re-arrested. She is
> accused of breaching her release conditions and has been taken into
> custody in Medicine Hat, Alta., according to one of her lawyers.
> (Frédéric Pepin/Radio-Canada)
>
> Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich has been re-arrested in Medicine
> Hat, Alta., for breaching her bail conditions, her lawyers have
> confirmed.
>
> Lich was taken into custody Monday evening, according to Keith Wilson,
> who represents Lich on her non-criminal cases including a lawsuit.
>
> Wilson, who spoke with Lich after her arrest, says she expects to be
> transported back to Ottawa in the next week.
>
> Eric Granger, who is one of Lich's criminal defence lawyers also
> confirmed Lich's arrest.
>
> Granger says he has no reason to believe his client has done anything
> wrong and is "looking to learn more at this stage."
>
>     Tamara Lich admits accepting award is related to Freedom Convoy in
> fiery day in court
>
>     Governments, police, convoy organizers granted standing on inquiry
> into use of Emergencies Act
>
> "Based on everything we knew, she's been diligently complying with all
> of her bail conditions as was noted by the judge at her recent bail
> review.
>
> While it's not yet clear which bail conditions she is accused of
> breaching, there is speculation on social media that Lich might be in
> legal trouble over a Facebook photo that shows her beside a fellow
> convoy organizer who she was ordered to stay away from by a judge.
> Canada-wide warrant
>
> Lich faces charges of mischief, counselling mischief, obstructing
> police, counselling to obstruct police, counselling intimidation and
> intimidation by blocking and obstructing one or more highways for her
> role as one of the organizers of the protest that shut down much of
> downtown Ottawa earlier this year.
>
> RCMP confirmed Lich was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for breaching
> her release order but did not have further information as the arrest
> falls within the jurisdiction of the Medicine Hat Police Service
> (MHPS).
>
> The MHPS says it will not release information until Tuesday morning.
> WATCH | Supporters cheer Tamara Lich as she is released from jail last
> winter:
> Convoy organizer Tamara Lich released from jail
> 4 months ago
> Duration 1:11
> Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the weeks-long occupation in
> downtown Ottawa, was released from jail on Monday with the condition
> that she leave Ottawa. Lich was arrested Feb. 17 and charged with
> counselling to commit mischief.
>
> The anti-COVID-19 restriction blockades gridlocked Ottawa for three
> weeks last winter as protesters parked trucks that blocked
> neighbourhood access and main arteries around Parliament Hill.
>
> After her arrest, Lich was released on bail in March on conditions
> which include staying off social media. She cannot organize any kind
> of protest and she is also not permitted to contact several of the
> other convoy leaders, including Tom Marazzo, an ex-military officer,
> who also had a failed bid as an Ontario MPP candidate.
>
> Lich was subject to a bail review last month where prosecutors
> unsuccessfully sought to have her taken back into custody for
> allegedly violating her bail condition that she not support anything
> related to the Freedom Convoy.
>
> Weeks after she was granted release in March, Lich was notified she'd
> been selected as a recipient of a freedom award, handed out by the
> Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), a legal
> organization and registered charity based in Calgary.
>
> Tamara Lich, fourth from the left, was ordered by a judge to have no
> contact with fellow convoy organizer Tom Marazzo, who is tagged as
> being second from the right. This photo shows the group in Toronto
> after Lich accepted her freedom award from the JCCF. (Facebook/Stacey
> Kauder )
>
> The awards ceremony took place on June 16 in Toronto.
>
> The Ottawa judge ruled he would not revoke Lich's bail and instead,
> varied her conditions to allow travel to Ontario with a restriction
> that she be banned from entering the capital's downtown core.
>
> Lich's reasoning for wanting to travel back to Ottawa is protected by
> a court-ordered publication ban and cannot be reported.
>
> But on June 17, the day after the freedom awards were presented,
> Stacey Kauder, who describes Lich as a friend, posted a photo to her
> Facebook page showing Lich with her husband and four other attendees
> at the JCCF gala.
>
> To Lich's left is a man identified as Marazzo, a fellow convoy
> organizer, who she was ordered to have no contact with unless her
> lawyer is present.
>
> Friends of the two convoy organizers speculated on social media that
> Lich was allowed to have contact with Marazzo at the event because
> there were lawyers for the JCCF present who also represent Lich in her
> civil matters.
> ABOUT THE AUTHOR
> Meghan Grant
>
> CBC Calgary crime reporter
>
> Meghan Grant is a justice affairs reporter. She has been covering
> courts, crime and stories of police accountability in southern Alberta
> for more than a decade. Send Meghan a story tip at meghan.grant@cbc.ca
> or follow her on Twitter.
>     Follow her on Twitter
>
> With files from Paula Duhatschek and David Fraser
> CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
>
>
>
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/convoy-protest-inquiry-1.6503689
>
>
> Governments, police, convoy organizers granted standing on inquiry
> into use of Emergencies Act
>
> Individual protesters and federal Conservative party denied standing
> by commissioner
>
> Darren Major · CBC News · Posted: Jun 27, 2022 10:26 PM ET
>
> Police officers push back protesters in front of the Senate of Canada
> Building in February, following the invocation of the Emergencies Act.
> (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
>
> Governments of all three levels, convoy organizers and police have
> been granted standing in the public inquiry looking into the
> invocation of the federal Emergencies Act, but the federal
> Conservative Party and a number of individuals who had their bank
> accounts frozen have been left out.
>
> Granting groups or individuals standing allows them certain privileges
> in the inquiry process, including the ability to suggest witnesses or
> cross-examine them. It also means they are given advance notice on
> documents being submitted into evidence.
>
> Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the act on Feb. 14 — for the
> first time in Canada's history — during the Freedom Convoy. The act
> gave the federal government temporary powers to deal with the
> anti-COVID-19 restriction blockades that gridlocked Ottawa for three
> weeks last winter as protesters parked trucks that blocked
> neighbourhood access and main arteries around Parliament Hill.
>
>     Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich arrested in Alberta, accused of
> breaching bail conditions
>
>     Trudeau calls public inquiry into use of Emergencies Act during
> convoy protests
>
> Paul Rouleau, the commissioner heading the inquiry, wrote in his
> decision that the deadline to submit the inquiry report weighed on his
> final determination.
>
> "I must keep in mind the practical realities facing the commission,
> including the strict timeline in which to complete the Inquiry,"
> Rouleau wrote.
>
> The federal government, the governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta
> have been granted full standing, while the government of Manitoba will
> be allowed to enter written submissions.
>
> Key convoy organizers including Tamara Lich, Tom Marazzo, Chris Barber
> and Daniel Bulford have been granted full standing.
>
> "Their contributions to the work of the commission are necessary, as
> they are uniquely situated to offer information to the commission and
> give firsthand evidence as to the goals and organization of the
> convoy," Rouleau wrote of the organizers.
>
> The Ottawa Police Service has been granted full standing, while its
> former chief Peter Sloly will be allowed to produce documents and
> examine witnesses.
>
> The cities of Ottawa and Windsor have also been granted standing.
>
> Protesters form a blockade in front of the Ambassador Bridge in
> Windsor, Ont., which links the city to Michigan. (Darrin Di Carlo/CBC)
> Conservatives, individual participants denied
>
> The federal Conservative Party and individual protesters are some
> notable exclusions in Rouleau's decision.
>
> In his dismissal of the Conservatives, Rouleau pointed to the
> parliamentary committee reviewing the use of the act and said the
> inquiry needs to remain above the political fray.
>
> "The political process that involves elected representatives from the
> various parties has a role to play in how the use of the Emergencies
> Act is reviewed and assessed," Rouleau said.
>
> "There is also an important role for an independent non-partisan
> process. Both ought to operate independently from one another."
>
> A number of individual protesters, including some who had their bank
> accounts frozen, were also denied standing in the inquiry.
>
> Rouleau reasoned that individual protesters would have limited
> perspective on what unfolded earlier this year.
>
> "By and large, their contribution would be limited to what they saw,
> heard or experienced from their particular vantage point as a
> participant or supporter of the convoy," Rouleau said, adding that
> individuals will be able to have their voices heard during public
> hearings.
>
> The commission's final report must be submitted by February 2023.
> ABOUT THE AUTHOR
> Darren Major
>
> CBC journalist
>
> Darren Major can be reached via email darren.major@cbc.ca or by
> tweeting him @DMajJourno.
> CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
>
>
>
> https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/06/28/freedom-convoy-organizer-tamara-lich-will-be-returned-to-ottawa-to-appear-in-court-following-new-arrest-police-confirm.html
>
>
> ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizer Tamara Lich to appear in Ottawa court
> Wednesday after arrest in Alberta
> Lich has been arrested in Alberta in relation to her court conditions,
> Ottawa police said Tuesday
> Lex Harvey
> By Lex Harvey
> Politics Reporter
> Tue., June 28, 2022
>
> Tamara Lich delivers a statement during a February news conference in
> Ottawa.
>
> Tamara Lich, one of the best-known faces of the so-called Freedom
> Convoy, will appear before a judge in Ottawa on Wednesday after being
> arrested in Alberta for allegedly breaching her bail conditions.
>
> Medicine Hat police say they arrested Lich in her hometown Monday on
> the basis of a search warrant that originated in Ontario for one count
> of failure to comply with a release order.
>
> Lich appeared in Medicine Hat court Tuesday morning and will be
> transported to Ottawa, police said.
>
> Lich has, along with fellow protest organizer Chris Barber, been
> facing charges of mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to
> commit mischief and intimidation, for her role in organizing the
> massive protest that paralyzed downtown Ottawa for more than three
> weeks in February.
>
> After a judge initially denied her bail, Lich was released in March
> with a long list of conditions, including a ban from all social media
> and an order not to “support anything related to the Freedom Convoy.”
>
> In an email to the Star, Eric Granger, Lich’s criminal lawyer, said
> Tuesday, “Only very limited information is available” on the arrest.
>
> “Given that Ms. Lich continues to have no criminal record and her
> strong performance on bail was noted by the judge at her recent bail
> review where the judge removed some of the conditions that had been
> previously imposed, we look forward to learning more as information
> becomes available so that we can determine the appropriate next steps
> to be taken in Ms. Lich’s defence.”
>
> In May, an Ontario judge ruled Lich could remain on bail until her
> trial after a Crown prosecutor argued she’d violated one of her bail
> conditions by agreeing to accept a “freedom” award handed out by
> Calgary-based organization the Justice Centre for Constitutional
> Freedoms.
>
> Ontario Superior Court Justice Kevin Phillips said Lich had followed
> her bail conditions and already had a “taste of jail,” which made her
> less likely to reoffend.
>
> Phillips changed Lich’s release conditions to allow her to visit
> Ottawa, but not the downtown core. He kept the ban on Lich’s access to
> social media.
>
> With files from Omar Mosleh, Alex Boyd
>
>
>
> https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-tamara-lich-nabbed-for-breach-of-bail-while-repeat-violent-offenders-use-revolving-door-of-court-system
>
>
> LILLEY: Tamara Lich nabbed for breach of bail while repeat violent
> offenders use revolving door of court system
> Author of the article:
> Brian Lilley
> Publishing date:
> Jun 28, 2022
>
> Accused Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich is retaining the services
> of high-powered Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon. Accused Freedom
> Convoy organizer Tamara Lich is retaining the services of high-powered
> Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon. jpg
>
> We can’t have dangerous people like her taking photographs with other
> dangerous people and posting them online.
>
> If we let that keep happening, chaos might ensue.
>
> Lich was arrested again on Monday in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and is
> expected to be transported to Ottawa within the next week for
> violating her bail conditions. On Feb. 17, Lich was arrested and
> charged with mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to
> commit mischief and intimidation.
>
> Without downplaying the impact of the freedom convoy on residents of
> Ottawa’s downtown core, those are hardly charges that would normally
> see this kind of action by police and prosecutors. Lich has no prior
> criminal record and has not been convicted of the charges she now
> faces.
>
> Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich is arrested by Ottawa Police on
> Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. SUPPLIED PHOTO
>
> Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich is arrested by Ottawa Police on
> Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. SUPPLIED PHOTO
>
> Yet depending on who you listen to, police have either arrested her
> for being critical of the government – not something that should get
> anyone arrested – or for being photographed at an event in Toronto
> with another convoy organizer.
>
> At this point, forgive me for laughing at the idea that either of
> these are considered bail violations. If we had a justice system in
> Canada that picked up everyone who broke bail conditions, then I might
> be prone to saying, that as a law-and-order kind of guy, I could
> support Lich being detained.
>
> That’s not who we are though, and our system continues to release
> violent repeat offenders on bail with no regard for community safety.
> On Monday, I was at a news conference with Ontario Premier Doug Ford
> and Toronto Mayor John Tory where they lamented repeat offenders for
> gun crimes being out on bail to reoffend.
>
> “Chief Ramer, or before him Chief Saunders, could tell you of many
> instances, not just one, where people are getting out on bail for
> example, over and over and over again, when they’re charged with
> firearms offenses, and that simply has to be changed,” Tory said when
> discussing the recent spate of shootings in Toronto.
>
> Our paper has been full of such stories and will have more to come in
> the future I’m sure, but police and prosecutors are worried about Lich
> taking a photo with someone more than 400 kilometres away from
> Parliament Hill.
>
> Just this week, Toronto Police were looking for a man in an assault
> investigation saying the man was wanted on six counts of assault, two
> counts of assault with a weapon, six counts of choking and six counts
> of breach of probation among other charges. In another incident, two
> men were charged in a robbery with robbery with a weapon, disguise
> with intent, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and fail to
> comply recognizance, which is police code for out on bail.
>
> Those are just two cases police revealed on Monday.
>
> One of the worst cases I’ve covered involved two men, both with bail
> and court conditions upon them, accused of shooting up a child’s
> birthday party last summer. Three children were injured from bullets
> flying in that incident.
>
> Yet Tamara Lich is the real threat to society, not hardened, repeat
> offenders who shoot up streets, commit robberies or repeatedly assault
> people over several months. Our justice system is not supposed to be
> political, but whether we’re talking about the Lich case or the recent
> revelations that Justin Trudeau’s government interfered in the
> investigation into the Nova Scotia mass shooting, it’s clear we have a
> government intent on making justice political.
>
> Seems Lady Justice is peeking out from under her blind to see who is
> before her before deciding whether to enforce bail conditions.
>
> blilley@postmedia.com
>
>
>
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/freedom-convoy-hearings-judge-threatened-1.6502747
>
>
> 'It's intimidation': Judge faces threats after Freedom Convoy hearings
> 'You feel vulnerable in your house, in your own home,' judge tells
> Radio-Canada
>
> Brigitte Bureau · CBC News · Posted: Jun 29, 2022 4:00 AM ET
>
>
> Protesters gather on Parliament Hill on Jan. 29, 2022, during the
> 'Freedom Convoy' and three-week occupation of downtown Ottawa. (Adrian
> Wyld/Canadian Press)
>
> One of the judges who presided over the court hearings of Freedom
> Convoy organizers is speaking out after receiving threats considered
> serious enough to require police intervention, according to
> information obtained by Radio-Canada and CBC.
>
> The judge in question confirmed that supporters of the convoy from
> Canada and the United States sent several offensive messages, but the
> message that prompted police to react threatened their physical
> safety, the judge said.
>
>     It's intimidation. It's trying to influence a court decision, and
> that's serious.
>
>     - Judge who is not being identified due to safety concerns
>
> CBC has agreed to withhold the judge's identity to protect their safety.
>
> "I thought, should I tell my children not to come home for a while?"
> the judge said.
>
> "I changed my alarm system. I was advised not to take the same route
> every day," the judge added. "You feel vulnerable in your house, in
> your own home."
>
> Police enforce an injunction against protesters on Parliament Hill on
> Feb. 19, 2022. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
>
> The judge believes most Canadians respect the justice system, but said
> a vocal minority is seeking to undermine it.
>
> "It's intimidation. It's trying to influence a court decision, and
> that's serious," the judge said.
>
> Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Richard Wagner expressed similar
> concerns in a recent speech in Montreal.
>
>     Tamara Lich isn't going back to jail and is now allowed to visit Ottawa
>
>     In jail for more than 100 days, Pat King 'beat down,' says supporter
>
> "The pandemic has forced many people to live online during lockdowns.
> And it is at times like these that lies and conspiracies spread like
> wildfire," Wagner said in French on June 9.
>
> "As we have seen around the world, disinformation poses a real threat
> to democratic institutions."
>
> The demonstrations that took place in Ottawa this winter stemmed in
> part from this disinformation, Wagner said. He encouraged people to
> "inform, instruct and educate" their fellow citizens.
>
> Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Richard Wagner, pictured
> here at a news conference in 2021, warned in a recent speech that
> 'disinformation poses a real threat to democratic institutions.'
> (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
> Ministry silent on further threats
>
> Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General would not say if any other
> judges have received threats from Freedom Convoy supporters.
>
> "It would be inappropriate for the ministry to comment on a potential
> or ongoing police investigation," wrote ministry spokesperson Brian
> Gray in an email to Radio-Canada.
>
>     MPs describe threats, safety fears as they're issued panic buttons
>
>     Ottawa police say they're ready to shut down Canada Day occupation
> attempts
>
>     CPC MPs meet with Freedom Convoy organizers
>
> He wrote that the ministry "takes court security and the safety of all
> those in our courthouses ... very seriously," and that local police or
> Ontario Provincial Police provide security "to ensure the highest
> level of protection."
>
> The Ontario Court of Justice and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice
> both declined to comment, saying it would be inappropriate to do so.
>
> CBC News reached out to a number of key figures of the weeks-long
> demonstration in Ottawa, but requests for comment were either declined
> or went unanswered.
>
> No charges have been laid in this matter. It's not known whether the
> investigation is ongoing at this time, and police would not comment.
>
> ABOUT THE AUTHOR
> Brigitte Bureau
>
> Brigitte Bureau is an award-winning investigative reporter with
> Radio-Canada.
>
> With files from Joseph Tunney
>
> CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
> Date: Tue, 10 May 2022 15:54:33 -0300
> Subject: YO Lawrence Greenspon I just called again and your assistant
> told me that you were not working for Madame Lich for free Correct?
> To: lawrence@gghlawyers.ca, "david.fraser"
> <david.fraser@mcinnescooper.com>, David.Fraser@cbc.ca
> Cc: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com, premier@ontario.ca,
> stefanos.karatopis@gmail.com, sheilagunnreid@gmail.com
>
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tamara-lich-lawyer-greenspon-pro-bono-1.6417388
> Lawrence Greenspon won't say if he is being paid to represent Lich
> 'Everybody has a right to be represented under the law,' Lawrence Greenspon
> says
>
> David Fraser · CBC News · Posted: Apr 12, 2022 5:20 PM ET
>
>
> Tamara Lich appears at her bail hearing in Ottawa March 7, 2022, as
> Justice John Johnston looks on. (Alexandra Newbould/The Canadian
> Press)
>
> The lawyer representing convoy leader Tamara Lich says his latest
> high-profile client deserves to be well-represented, but Lawrence
> Greenspon won't disclose whether he is being paid or took the case for
> free.
>
> Lich, who was behind fundraising efforts that raised more than $10
> million to support the Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa, is charged
> jointly with Chris Barber with mischief, counselling mischief,
> obstructing police, counselling to obstruct police, counselling
> intimidation, and intimidation by blocking and obstructing one or more
> highways.
>
> She joins a handful of high-profile Greenspon clients. He has
> previously represented Mohammad Momin Khawaja, the first Canadian
> charged under Canada's Anti-terrorism Act, as well as former senator
> Mike Duffy.
>
> "Some of the people that have contacted me are well aware of the fact
> that in the past I've represented alleged terrorists and murderers and
> people charged with sexual assault. That, I guess, in their minds is
> OK," Greenspon said.
>
> 'The reaction from strangers has been — I'm disappointed because you
> were this, that and the other in our community and I don't put that
> together with you representing Tamara Lich,' says Lawrence Greenspon.
> (Alistair Steele/CBC)
>
> "But representing Tamara Lich who has no criminal record, is not
> charged with any violent offence, there's no weapons involved, there's
> no sexual assault — they seem to have a problem with that."
>
> He said he swore an oath to zealously defend a person whose liberty is at
> stake.
>
> "I don't have any difficulty at all in representing Tamara Lich. It
> doesn't mean that I agree with anything she did or didn't do. But it
> does mean that she's entitled to representation when her liberty's at
> stake," he said.
>
> Lich was arrested Feb. 17, denied bail, but then released on March 7
> on the condition she leave Ottawa within 24 hours, refrain from using
> social media and have no contact with certain co-organizers.
>
>     Everybody has a right to be represented under the law.
>
>     — Lawrence Greenspon
>
> Diane Magas had been representing Barber and Lich, but is now just
> representing Barber.
>
> Greenspon is expected to challenge the conditions of Lich's bail,
> particularly as it applies to her use of social media.
>
> "The reaction from friends has been, 'I'm not surprised, she's going
> to be well represented.' The reaction from strangers has been, 'I'm
> disappointed because you were this, that and the other in our
> community and I don't put that together with you representing Tamara
> Lich,'" he said.
>
> "It's those individuals that really need to understand what the role
> of defence counsel is and how important it is that everybody has a
> right to be represented under the law."
> Worked in oil and gas
>
> Lich worked in the oil and gas sector in Alberta from 2017 until she
> was laid off in March 2020 "due to closures related to COVID-19,"
> according to a sworn affidavit made by her March 2.
>
> She and her husband moved to Harrison Park, Man., for work after he
> was laid off, but by November 2021 they were back in Alberta and
> working again.
>
> She used five weeks of vacation time to come to Ottawa, where she was
> considered a key figure in the protests against COVID-19 health
> measures, according to the affidavit.
>
>  In her affidavit, she said she would return to work following her
> release on bail.
> Raised millions for convoy
>
> In a separate affidavit filed in court related to a proposed class
> action suit against her and others, Lich said she was involved in the
> creation of the crowdfunding campaign for the Freedom Convoy on the
> GoFundMe platform.
>
> Lich delivers a statement during a news conference in Ottawa,
> Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
>
> She said she used a personal TD bank account, which had no balance, as
> the designated account to hold donated funds.
>
> An email address was set up to accept donations, which also went into
> a personal account belonging to her. At the time, she was the only
> person with access to the donations.
>
> When GoFundMe released $1 million of donated funds on Feb. 2, it did
> so into Lich's personal account she designated for the protest.
>
> Two days after sending her $1 million, GoFundMe said it closed the
> campaign, citing violations of its rules on violence and harassment,
> with all remaining donations being returned directly to individual
> donors.
>
> Lich said that the same day she received the GoFundMe money, a "hold"
> was placed on her account associated with the Freedom Convoy. She said
> the bank didn't prevent money from being deposited into the account,
> but funds could not be withdrawn.
>
> While she had access to the money provided by GoFundMe, Lich said she
> completed approximately $26,000 in transactions.
>
> She spent $13,000 on bulk fuel purchases and another $13,000 was
> "withdrawn in cash and utilized for various purposes," she said in her
> affidavit.
>
> With files from Ashley Burke
> CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)" <Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca>
> Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2021 15:09:50 +0000
> Subject: RE: YO George Soule So the Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon
> is incredibly insulted??? ME TOO
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> Hello,
>
> Thank you for taking the time to write.
>
> Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response
> to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed
> at the earliest opportunity.
>
> If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a
> Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for
> review and consideration.
>
> Merci d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
>
> En raison du volume des messages reçus, cette réponse automatique vous
> informe que votre courriel a été reçu et sera examiné dans les
> meilleurs délais.
>
> Si votre demande relève plutôt du mandat d'un ministère ou d'un autre
> secteur du gouvernement, le personnel vous renverra votre courriel
> pour examen et considération.
>
> If this is a Media Request, please contact the Premier’s office at
> (506) 453-2144 or by email
> media-medias@gnb.ca<mailto:media-medias@gnb.ca>
>
> S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le
> Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144.
>
> Office of the Premier/Cabinet du premier ministre
> P.O Box/C. P. 6000 Fredericton New-Brunswick/Nouveau-
> Brunswick E3B 5H1 Canada
> Tel./Tel. : (506) 453-2144
> Email/Courriel:
> premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca<mailto:premier@gnb.ca/premier.ministre@gnb.ca>
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario
> <Premier@ontario.ca>
> Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2021 15:06:27 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: YO George Soule So the Ottawa lawyer
> Lawrence Greenspon is incredibly insulted??? ME TOO
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly
> valued.
>
> You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read,
> reviewed and taken into consideration.
>
> There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the
> need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your
> correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a
> response may take several business days.
>
> Thanks again for your email.
> ______­­
>
> Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de
> nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
>
> Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en
> considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
>
> Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère
> responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de
> la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours
> ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
>
> Merci encore pour votre courriel.
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: Newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.com>
> Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2021 15:08:14 +0000
> Subject: Automatic reply: YO George Soule So the Ottawa lawyer
> Lawrence Greenspon is incredibly insulted??? ME TOO
> To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
>
> Thank you for contacting The Globe and Mail.
>
> If your matter pertains to newspaper delivery or you require technical
> support, please contact our Customer Service department at
> 1-800-387-5400 or send an email to customerservice@globeandmail.com
>
> If you are reporting a factual error please forward your email to
> publiceditor@globeandmail.com<mailto:publiceditor@globeandmail.com>
>
> Letters to the Editor can be sent to letters@globeandmail.com
>
> This is the correct email address for requests for news coverage and
> press releases.
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2021 12:06:21 -0300
> Subject: YO George Soule So the Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon is
> incredibly insulted??? ME TOO
> To: george.soule@parl.gc.ca, lawrence@gghlawyers.ca, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>,
> "Katie.Telford" <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>,
> "Bill.Blair"<Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>,
> Viva Frei <david@vivafrei.com>, "fin.minfinance-financemin.fin"
> <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, Newsroom
> <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>,
> premier <premier@ontario.ca>
> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, Alistair.Steele@cbc.ca,
> "catharine.tunney" <catharine.tunney@cbc.ca>, sheilagunnreid
> <sheilagunnreid@gmail.com>, "steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>,
> "stefanos.karatopis" <stefanos.karatopis@gmail.com>
>
> George Soule, Senior Press Secretary, 613-850-3448 or
> george.soule@parl.gc.ca
>
>
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-candidates-resign-1.6176338
>
> 2 NDP candidates resign following 'unacceptable' online comments
> Candidates were running in Ontario, Nova Scotia ridings
>
> Catharine Tunney · CBC News · Posted: Sep 15, 2021 8:17 AM ET
>
>
>
> ---------- Original message ----------
> From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
> Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2021 12:06:21 -0300
> Subject: YO George Soule So the Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon is
> incredibly insulted??? ME TOO
> To: george.soule@parl.gc.ca, lawrence@gghlawyers.ca, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>,
> "Katie.Telford" <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, "Bill.Blair"
> <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, Viva Frei <david@vivafrei.com>,
> "fin.minfinance-financemin.fin"
> <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, Newsroom
> <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>,
> premier <premier@ontario.ca>
> Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, Alistair.Steele@cbc.ca,
> "catharine.tunney" <catharine.tunney@cbc.ca>, sheilagunnreid
> <sheilagunnreid@gmail.com>, "steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>,
> "stefanos.karatopis" <stefanos.karatopis@gmail.com>
>
> George Soule, Senior Press Secretary, 613-850-3448 or
> george.soule@parl.gc.ca
>
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-candidates-resign-1.6176338
>
> 2 NDP candidates resign following 'unacceptable' online comments
>
> Candidates were running in Ontario, Nova Scotia ridings
> Catharine Tunney · CBC News · Posted: Sep 15, 2021 8:17 AM ET
>
>
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/vaccine-protesters-holocaust-comparisons-1.6175321
>
> Disgust growing over vaccine protesters' Holocaust comparisons
>
>
> Demonstrators seen wearing yellow stars, holding pictures of Anne Frank
> Alistair Steele · CBC News · Posted: Sep 15, 2021 4:00 AM ET
>

 

Tamara Lich's case not a trial of the 'Freedom Convoy,' says defence lawyer

OTTAWA — The lawyer for "Freedom Convoy" organizer Tamara Lich warned the court Tuesday that the upcoming trial on her criminal charges should not put the entire convoy on trial.

Lich was a figurehead of the demonstrations that gridlocked downtown Ottawa for three weeks in early 2022 in protest against COVID-19 public health restrictions and the federal Liberal government.

She and her fellow organizer, Chris Barber, were both arrested the day before hundreds of police officers in tactical gear moved in to remove protesters from the roads around Parliament Hill.

The pair have been co-accused of mischief, obstructing police and counselling others to commit mischief and intimidation.

Barber is facing an additional charge of counselling others to disobey a court order.

Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon was in court Tuesday to request more information ahead of the trial in hopes of getting a clearer idea of what evidence the Crown plans to use to make its case.

"This should not be the trial of the Freedom Convoy," Greenspon told the court.

Lich and Barber were among the original organizers of the Freedom Convoy protest that rolled into Ottawa on Jan. 27, 2022.

Thousands of heavy trucks parked on downtown Ottawa streets, honking horns at all hours of the day and night and choking the air with exhaust from their idling engines. Protesters set up camps in the blocked-off streets and vowed not to leave until the government met their varied and often-changing demands.

The protest drew crowds so large that local police and politicians were at a loss about what to do and local residents said the city had descended into lawlessness.

The federal government declared a public order emergency under the Emergencies Act on Feb. 14, 2022, granting special powers to governments, police and banks to freeze the protesters' accounts and remove them from streets and other critical infrastructure.

Lich and Barber both appeared in court virtually Tuesday.

Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey agreed the trial had the potential to get "out of control," and said she would not allow that to happen.

The Crown had given Lich's defence team a broad outline of how it plans to proceed in January, but there is nothing to prevent the lawyers from deviating from that plan.

Crown attorney Siobhain Wetscher promised to deliver a full list of trial witnesses and evidence to Lich and Barber's lawyers by Aug. 1.

The trial is expected to begin Sept. 5.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2023.

Laura Osman, The Canadian Press

 

 https://ottawacitizen.com/news/live-blog-day-six-of-the-criminal-trial-of-convoy-protest-organizers-tamara-lich-and-chris-barber

 

  1. LIVE BLOG: Day six of the criminal trial of convoy protest organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber

    Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said the question about whether the protest was peaceful doesn’t affect the charges Barber and Lich are facing, but could be an aggravating factor.


    Editor’s note: This file will be updated throughout the day Tuesday while the trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber continues. For continuous coverage, follow our live blog below.



    The trial of convoy protest organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber pushes on for day six Tuesday.

    “This is not the trial of the Freedom Convoy,” Lich’s lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, told the court Monday, in a sentiment he’s raised so often in the first week of trial that it has become all but a catchphrase for the defence team.


    The Crown has an entirely different view of the case.

    “This is ultimately a trial about what happened in this city” during the protest, and what role Lich and Barber played in that, Crown attorney Siobhain Wetscher said.

    The Crown wants to show exactly how disruption, intimidation and obstructions manifested after thousands of big rigs rolled into Ottawa in early 2022, blocking roads in what the city’s mayor at the time called a “siege” and an “illegal occupation.”

    Justice Heather Perkins-McVey said the question about whether the protest was peaceful doesn’t affect the charges Barber and Lich are facing, but could be an aggravating factor.

    Trial catch up — LIVE BLOG REPLAY: Day five of the criminal trial of convoy protest organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber

    Lich and Barber stand co-accused of mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief and intimidation for their roles in the weeks-long protest that gridlocked streets in downtown Ottawa and left residents dismayed by its presence through much of January and February 2022. Barber faces an additional charge of counselling others to disobey a court order.


    At the heart of the Crown’s case is whether Lich and Barber encouraged people to come to Ottawa and stay there, even as police ordered protesters to leave. The other question is whether doing so is considered illegal.

    The Crown hopes to establish that Barber and Lich worked together in lockstep, so that evidence against one of them will apply to both.

    Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.

    24 posts

    M
    pinned

    Hello, and welcome to our live blog of the criminal trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber. Reporter Aedan Helmer is at court to follow today's hearing. My name is Hannah Daley, I'm an editor at the Ottawa Citizen, and I'll be posting updates here on Helmer's behalf.



    M





  2. M





  3. M





  4. M





  5. M





  6. M





  7. M





  8. M





  9. M





  10. M





  11. M





  12. M





  13. M





  14. M





  15. M





  16. M





  17. M





  18. M





  19. M





  20. M

    Crown attorney Siobhain Wetscher argued Monday that the Crown is entitled to call the evidence it sees fit to connect Lich and Barber’s words and actions to the residents and workers from downtown Ottawa.


    “The Crown maintains the best evidence will come from the civilians,” she said.



  21. M

    Lich and Barber have already signed admissions that the “actions of certain individuals” who participated in the protest interfered with public transit and the lawful use and enjoyment of property and businesses.


    “There’s is absolutely no need to call these nine witnesses,” Lich's lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, said Monday, arguing their testimony would be irrelevant in a strictly legal sense.



  22. M

    The Crown plans to call five residents as witnesses in the case to describe what they saw and experienced during the convoy protest. That includes Zexi Li, who filed a class-action lawsuit against the organizers on behalf of people who live and work in downtown Ottawa.


    If they’re allowed to testify, the witnesses are expected to speak about the blocked streets, the constant sound of horns honking and truck engines running, the oppressive smell of exhaust, witnessing public urination and being unable to leave their homes, the Crown said.





  23. M

    Yesterday, the lawyers defending Lich and Barber attempted to block eight witnesses from Ottawa from taking the stand.

 

https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2022/01/nurse-quits-saint-john-hospital-in.html 

 

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Nurse quits Saint John hospital in frustration and takes up long-haul trucking

 
 
 
942 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
 
 
 
David Amos
Content deactivated   
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down
After midnight, we're gonna chug-a-lug and shout
We're gonna stimulate some action
We're gonna get some satisfaction
We're gonna find out what it is all about
We're gonna cause talk and suspicion
We're gonna give an exhibition
We're gonna find out what it is all about
___-Eric Patrick Clapton CBE  

 
 
 
 
David Amos
Content deactivated 
Methinks folks should pay attention to Operation Bear Hug 2.0 N'esy Pas?
 
 
 
 
David Amos
FYI Tamara Lich an Organizer in Medicine Hat, AB has raised the goal in support of the convoy to $600,000 after receiving $539,624 in donation in less than 4 days  
 
 
Al Clark
Reply to @David Amos: Cool, don't tell her that in 4 days her unemployed A/V truckers can't cross the border going south either. Let it be a surprise, like it is to the APTA head, Picard.
I can see how being a politician able to get a mere handful of votes would make one a kindred spirit, eh
sigh.......
 
 
Terrance Van Gemert
Reply to @David Amos: Oh, the same lady who is "Board Member at Maverick Party" just goes to show how political people will get money for nothing. Well her convoy will still be blocked if there is Unvaxxed in the group. what then leave that one or so behind and carry on? Just like the last convoy that travelled from Alberta to parliament hill and stranded the truckers who could not afford the trip, while the leader racked in over 3/4 million dollars and kept to himself.
 
 
David Amos
Content deactivated  
Reply to @Terrance Van Gemert: Try telling me something I don't know I like the lady because she was HONEST with me. Methinks your buddies want Jan 28th to assist them with a redux of a political spin that their Yankee buddies south of the Medicine Line Jan 6th of last year In fact i bet you are a player in this wicked game N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
James Wolf
Is she vaxxed?
 
 
Carlos Gardel
Reply to @James Wolf: What does it mean?
 
 
Al Clark
Reply to @James Wolf: Would be a little silly for a company to send an employee, particularly a brand new one, on a trip she can't return from. Yes, she's vaxxed.....
 
 
David Amos
Content deactivated 
Reply to @James Wolf: Thats none of your business 
 
 
David Amos
Content deactivated  
Reply to @Al Clark: So you say 
 
 
Terrance Van Gemert
Reply to @James Wolf: Looks that way as she is health nurse and NB they were all 100% vaccinated.
 
 
Dave Mack
Reply to @James Wolf: really?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Terrance Van Gemert: If that is so then why are some of them suing Higgy at al 
 
 
Terrance Van Gemert
Reply to @David Amos: Well, I do not know who higgy is but anyway. if some are, they are going to lose. Now response is making the assumption it is some health care administrator, who personally cannot be sued, for person is only the health top dog not the pay person which is the pollical party in charge or health minister. Those who are employed are vaxxed and those not vaxxed cannot cross border so I am sure she is Vaxxed. 
 
 
 
 
phil mckay
She doesnt have to count on higgs, sheppard and russell to keep her workplace safe and burned out….
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @phil mckay: Even her new workplace is crashing and burning We terribly short of truckers because so many have refused to be jabbed

No comments:

Post a Comment