‘Freedom Convoy’ organizer Chris Barber’s lawyers make final arguments

OTTAWA — Defence lawyers making final arguments on behalf of one of the prominent “Freedom Convoy” organizers are maintaining their client’s innocence, with proceedings scheduled to continue next week.

Diane Magas argued before a judge Thursday that her client, Chris Barber, never meant to gridlock Ottawa and that he is not responsible for the actions of convoy participants.

She also said there’s an “enormous” amount of material to deal with in the trial and the process has taken more time than expected. The trial began in September 2023 and has faced a number of delays.

The Crown alleges Barber and his co-accused, Tamara Lich, worked in concert to cause weeks of criminal disruptions in the capital during the protests in early 2022.

They were among several organizers of the protest, which was opposed to pandemic-era public health restrictions and the federal government.

Lich and Barber are on trial for mischief, intimidation and counselling others to break the law for their role in the demonstration.

Barber, the owner of a Saskatchewan trucking company, faces an additional charge of counselling others to disobey a court order for encouraging people to honk their horns after it was forbidden by a judge.

The courtroom’s gallery was mostly full on Thursday, with some observers at times laughing during the evidence or when Magas and the presiding judge had a back-and-forth.

Magas argued that the gridlock in downtown Ottawa was the result of poor planning and a lack of preparedness by Ottawa police, and that Barber was working with police to ease tensions and roadblocks.

“Our position, as argued before the court, is that my client is innocent,” Magas said after the day’s proceedings wrapped up. “Morally innocent and legally innocent.”

The “Freedom Convoy” protest brought thousands of protesters and big-rig trucks flood to Ottawa, overwhelming attempts by police to maintain order.

The court has heard there was excessive noise from crowds, idling engines and honking air horns, an overwhelming smell of diesel and smoke, and some Ottawa residents and businesses faced harassment.

Lich and Barber were both arrested shortly before police launched a massive operation to shut the protest down.

Magas is scheduled to conclude her final arguments on Monday, with Lich’s defence team expected to make final submissions after.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2024.

— With files from Laura Osman

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press