The Crown has appealed Chris Barber's acquittal on intimidation charges and seeks to increase his sentence for mischief and other charges following the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announced.

The Crown wants a tougher sentence for Barber, a trucker, asking the Court of Appeal to convict him of intimidation or order a new trial, replacing his 18-month conditional sentence.

Barber appealed his conditional sentence yesterday, arguing the judge misapplied mischief law and overlooked his cooperation. He states, “I did nothing unlawful, and I am appealing to clear my name and defend the right of Canadians to speak and protest peacefully.”

Justice Heather Perkins-McVey sentenced him to an 18-month conditional sentence on October 7, 2025, calling the 2022 Freedom Convoy a “on-violent protest” with “noblest of intent,” noting no property damage or intent to harm infrastructure, and violent crime in Ottawa fell during the three-week protest.

Barber cooperated with police, moved his truck, and encouraged calm, she acknowledged.

“Mr. Barber relied in good faith on police and court direction during the protest,” said constitutional lawyer Diane Magas. “The principles of fairness and justice require that citizens not be punished for following the advice of authorities,” she added.

A November decision looms on seizing and auctioning Barber's truck, “Big Red.” His legal team argues the truck, vital for his livelihood, wasn't involved in mischief. The Justice Centre funds Barber's defence, appeal, and efforts to prevent the truck's seizure.

After three weeks of protests in downtown Ottawa, the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act on February 14, 2022, to remove vehicles and freeze bank accounts.

The Department of Finance directed the RCMP to create a blacklist of protest supporters under anti-terrorism legislation, according to Blacklock’s, resulting in $7.8 million being frozen across hundreds of accounts, including cryptocurrency wallets.

Protesters were not charged with sedition, and the RCMP found no evidence of violent insurrection links, contradicting media reports and statements from Liberal parliamentarians.

Poilievre slams Trudeau over his divisive approach to handling the peaceful 2022 Freedom Convoy in Ottawa.

The Conservative leader points out that Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act over parked trucks but refuses to take action to stop ongoing antisemitic violence. pic.twitter.com/qVVQYDuLgU

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) February 14, 2025

After the ruling, Pierre Poilievre defended Barber and co-organizer Tamara Lich as “peaceful protesters” on October 8, condemning calls for their imprisonment. On September 27, he opposed seizing Barber's truck, “Big Red,” before sentencing, stating, “Enough. We need change.”

Perkins-McVey rejected the Crown's request for seven and eight-year prison sentences, citing concerns that harsh sentences could deter participation in political expression like protests.

Poilievre reiterated that Lich and Barber "peacefully protested" emergency measures deemed unreasonable by a 2024 federal court, a finding that contradicted a public inquiry's ruling that supported the government's use of the Emergencies Act.

“I wish Chris and Tamara a peaceful and happy life,” he added.

Please help Tamara Lich fight back against this outrageous political prosecution!

The Democracy Fund, a registered Canadian charity, is continuing to crowdfund Tamara Lich’s legal defence and appeal following her sentence of 18 months of house arrest for her role in the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest.

Tamara has filed her appeal challenging the conviction. She is represented by her lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon.

Tamara — a mom and grandmother from Medicine Hat, Alberta — has already spent 49 days in jail awaiting trial and has faced a legal process spanning more than three years. She now lives under significant restrictions while the appeal proceeds.

If you believe peaceful political protest should not be criminalized, please chip in today to help cover Tamara’s ongoing legal costs.

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