>Several Conservative MPs are criticizing the Crown’s approach to prosecuting two key organizers of the “Freedom Convoy” protests, with the party’s deputy leader calling it an act of “political vengeance.”
>Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were convicted of mischief in April for their roles in organizing the demonstration, which blockaded streets around Parliament Hill for more than three weeks in early 2022.
>Barber was also convicted of counselling others to disobey a court order.
>They were found not guilty of several charges, including counselling others to commit mischief.
>[…]
>Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre posted on X on Monday to question the Crown’s approach.
>”Let’s get this straight: while rampant violent offenders are released hours after their most recent charges and antisemitic rioters vandalize businesses, terrorize daycares and block traffic without consequences, the Crown wants seven years prison time for the charge of mischief for Lich and Barber,” he said.
>”How is this justice?”
>In her own social media post, deputy Conservative leader Melissa Lantsman said that if “the Crown suddenly wants to apply the law — equal application of law would be a good start — but this is political vengeance not actual justice and it’s why trust in our institutions is dwindling.”
>[…]
>A spokesperson from Poilievre’s office said in a statement that MPs “are raising concerns because the sentencing sought by the Crown in this particular case appears completely disproportionate, particularly when compared to violent criminals who have gotten away with a mere slap on the wrist.”
>The Conservatives ran on a tough-on-crime platform in the April election. Poilievre promised “jail not bail” for repeat offenders and pledged to legislate life sentences for some human trafficking and drug offences — promises that constitutional experts said would almost certainly be struck down by the courts.
>Monday’s social media posts came after a number of prominent right-wing social media influencers and personalities called out Poilievre and his MPs over their alleged lack of support for Lich and Barber.
>[…]
>Michael Spratt, an Ottawa-based defence lawyer, called the MPs’ decision to weigh in on the proposed sentencing “craven politics.”
>”It is very dangerous for politicians to be weighing in on matters before the court,” he said.
>Spratt said there is a long-standing convention that politicians must not impose their views on the judicial system in Canada.
>But sometimes politicians step over that line. In 2021, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that it was “beyond comprehension” that the suspect in a homicide case involving the death of a Toronto police officer had been granted bail.
>The accused was found not guilty in 2024. Spratt said politicians who were critical of the justice system at the time ended up looking foolish when the facts of the case came out.
>Politicians who choose to leverage high-profile cases to “advance a political narrative” ultimately end up devaluing the work of the courts, Spratt said.
>The spokesperson for Poilievre’s office said MPs are exercising their freedom to “raise concerns about disproportionate sentencing in the justice system.”
Ddogwood on
Conservatives believe in being tough on crime as long as the criminals aren’t conservatives.
These are people who were found guilty of a criminal offence in Canada.
3 Comments
>Several Conservative MPs are criticizing the Crown’s approach to prosecuting two key organizers of the “Freedom Convoy” protests, with the party’s deputy leader calling it an act of “political vengeance.”
>Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were convicted of mischief in April for their roles in organizing the demonstration, which blockaded streets around Parliament Hill for more than three weeks in early 2022.
>Barber was also convicted of counselling others to disobey a court order.
>They were found not guilty of several charges, including counselling others to commit mischief.
>[…]
>Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre posted on X on Monday to question the Crown’s approach.
>”Let’s get this straight: while rampant violent offenders are released hours after their most recent charges and antisemitic rioters vandalize businesses, terrorize daycares and block traffic without consequences, the Crown wants seven years prison time for the charge of mischief for Lich and Barber,” he said.
>”How is this justice?”
>In her own social media post, deputy Conservative leader Melissa Lantsman said that if “the Crown suddenly wants to apply the law — equal application of law would be a good start — but this is political vengeance not actual justice and it’s why trust in our institutions is dwindling.”
>[…]
>A spokesperson from Poilievre’s office said in a statement that MPs “are raising concerns because the sentencing sought by the Crown in this particular case appears completely disproportionate, particularly when compared to violent criminals who have gotten away with a mere slap on the wrist.”
>The Conservatives ran on a tough-on-crime platform in the April election. Poilievre promised “jail not bail” for repeat offenders and pledged to legislate life sentences for some human trafficking and drug offences — promises that constitutional experts said would almost certainly be struck down by the courts.
>Monday’s social media posts came after a number of prominent right-wing social media influencers and personalities called out Poilievre and his MPs over their alleged lack of support for Lich and Barber.
>[…]
>Michael Spratt, an Ottawa-based defence lawyer, called the MPs’ decision to weigh in on the proposed sentencing “craven politics.”
>”It is very dangerous for politicians to be weighing in on matters before the court,” he said.
>Spratt said there is a long-standing convention that politicians must not impose their views on the judicial system in Canada.
>But sometimes politicians step over that line. In 2021, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that it was “beyond comprehension” that the suspect in a homicide case involving the death of a Toronto police officer had been granted bail.
>The accused was found not guilty in 2024. Spratt said politicians who were critical of the justice system at the time ended up looking foolish when the facts of the case came out.
>Politicians who choose to leverage high-profile cases to “advance a political narrative” ultimately end up devaluing the work of the courts, Spratt said.
>The spokesperson for Poilievre’s office said MPs are exercising their freedom to “raise concerns about disproportionate sentencing in the justice system.”
Conservatives believe in being tough on crime as long as the criminals aren’t conservatives.
These are people who were found guilty of a criminal offence in Canada.
Lol tough on crime party