Crowns Appeal Against Lich and Barber to Be Heard in Spring 2027

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, organizers of the 2022 convoy protest in Ottawa, leave the courthouse in Ottawa on April 3, 2025. The Canadian Press/Spencer ColbyThe Crown’s appeal in the case of Freedom Convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber—covering aspects of the sentencing and acquittals on certain charges—is expected to be heard in spring 2027.Lich and Barber were found guilty of mischief in April 2025, related to their roles in the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions. Barber was also found guilty of counselling others to disobey a court order. They were not found guilty of additional charges of intimidation, counselling to commit intimidation, or obstructing police.The two were handed 18-month conditional sentences in October 2025, which includes house arrest, a curfew, and community service.But Lich and Barber’s lengthy criminal trial, which began in the fall of 2023, is set to continue, as they have filed appeals against their convictions. Barber is also appealing his sentence, while the Crown is appealing both the judge’s sentencing and the acquittals in relation to both Barber and Lich.According to the Court of Appeal’s directions issued June 29, the Crown will file its written arguments by Dec. 30, while Lich and Barber’s lawyers must file theirs by February 12, 2027, with the appeal expected to be heard in spring 2027.Case Management Judge Grant Huscroft wrote that “the expectation is an appeal hearing in the spring of 2027,” adding that it is in everyone’s interest for the appeal to be heard as early as possible.Lich said in a June 30 Facebook post that her sentence will be served on Jan. 21, 2027, “and then it’ll be back to court to start this process all over again.” She added that by the time her case is over, “if it ever truly is,” her prosecution will have cost Ontario taxpayers around $15 million.Lich also said the prosecution is continuing to request seven years of jail time for Lich and eight years for Barber, and that the two be found guilty of intimidation for their role in the protest.The prosecution had also filed an application to seize Barber’s long-haul truck “Big Red” which he used to travel to Ottawa during the 2022 Freedom Convoy demonstration. The Crown had argued that Barber’s truck was offence-related property because he used it to participate in the protest and it was used as a symbol for the movement.While Justice Heather Perkins-McVey ruled in December 2025 that the truck was used as offence-related property for the protest, she said forfeiture would have been disproportionate because the truck is used for Barber’s business and there is “no evidence” that Big Red will be used in future criminal offences. She rejected the Crown’s application to seize the truck.In April, Lich announced she had filed a lawsuit against the Ottawa Police Service, the Crown prosecutor, the Ottawa Police Services Board, and the Attorney General of Ontario, citing “malicious prosecution.”