OTTAWA, ON: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that the criminal trial for Chris Barber continues today, October 11, 2023, in Ottawa at the Ontario Court of Justice. Mr. Barber faces charges of mischief, intimidation, obstructing a highway, obstructing a police officer, and counselling others to commit the same offences, based on his involvement in the peaceful Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa in January and February of 2022.

The trial began on September 5, 2023 and was initially scheduled to run 16 days. After 13 days, the Crown was not ready to wrap up its case and it became apparent more time would be needed. The parties are working with trial judge Justice Heather Perkins-McVey to schedule additional court dates.

The owner of a trucking company in Saskatchewan, Chris Barber was arrested near Parliament Hill on February 17, 2022, days after Prime Minister Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act and one day before hundreds of police officers in tactical gear advanced on Parliament Hill to remove peaceful protesters. He was released with bail conditions on February 18, 2022.

John Carpay, President of the Justice Centre, says, “With the generous support of freedom loving Canadians, we’ve been able to assist in the defence of Chris Barber and other Freedom Convoy participants, and also in the defence of civil actions against them. In the midst of severe government restrictions, these peaceful protestors managed to have their voices heard, standing up to defend all of our Charter rights against unjust and unscientific government policies.”