OTTAWA, ON: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that the Ontario Court of Justice will deliver its decision on Friday, December 19, 2025, regarding the Crown’s application to forfeit peaceful Freedom Convoy organizer Chris Barber’s truck, a 2004 Kenworth long-haul vehicle known as “Big Red.”
The court is expected to read its decision orally. Either party may appeal the ruling.
The forfeiture application arises from Mr. Barber’s peaceful participation in the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa. The Crown is seeking to permanently seize “Big Red” as alleged offence-related property, despite evidence that Ottawa police directed Mr. Barber where to park the truck and later instructed him to move it—which he did. The truck was removed from the downtown core on February 8, 2022, and never returned.
Mr. Barber said, “I followed the directions I was given and did everything I could to act lawfully and peacefully.”
“Big Red is not just a truck to me — it is how I support my family,” he added.
Submissions on the forfeiture application have now concluded.
Constitutional lawyer Marwa Younes, who served as co-counsel with Diane Magas during Mr. Barber’s criminal trial, will appear in court on Friday on behalf of the defence.
The Justice Centre has provided funding for Mr. Barber’s legal defence since 2022, including the ongoing proceedings opposing the Crown’s attempt to seize his truck.
