OTTAWA, ON: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that lawyers funded by the Justice Centre will appear before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to appeal the conviction of peaceful Freedom Convoy protestor Evan Blackman and challenge the trial court’s refusal to consider whether the freezing of his bank accounts violated his rights under section 8 of the Charter, protecting against unreasonable search and seizure, and warranted a stay of proceedings as a remedy.
Mr. Blackman was convicted in November 2025 of mischief and obstructing police following his arrest during the February 2022 enforcement action that ended the peaceful Freedom Convoy protest in downtown Ottawa. He received a conditional discharge, 12 months’ probation, 122 hours of community service, and a $200 victim fine surcharge.
At his original trial in October 2023, Mr. Blackman was acquitted of all charges. The evidence consisted primarily of a 14-minute drone video and testimony from one police officer. The trial judge found the officer’s memory unreliable and described Mr. Blackman as a “peacemaker,” noting video evidence that showed him attempting to deescalate interactions between protestors and police.
The Crown successfully appealed that acquittal, resulting in a retrial.
The appeal asks the Court to consider whether the trial judge applied the wrong legal test when dismissing Mr. Blackman’s application for a stay under section 24(1) of the Charter, which permits courts to grant remedies, including a stay of proceedings, where Charter rights have been infringed.
Constitutional lawyer Chris Fleury said, “Freezing someone’s bank account is an extraordinary use of state power. When the government interferes with a person’s ability to access their own money, courts must carefully examine whether those actions respected the protections guaranteed by the Charter.”
“This appeal asks the Court to properly consider whether the financial measures and the police enforcement operation in Ottawa were part of the same coordinated effort to remove protestors,” he added.
The Justice Centre is Canada’s leading civil liberties organization defending Charter rights and freedoms in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. Founded in 2010, the Justice Centre funds lawyers across Canada, relies entirely on voluntary donations to carry out its mission, and issues official tax receipts to donors.
