Tamara Lich sues Ottawa police, Crown prosecutor over convoy mischief trial
"I have filed a lawsuit against the Ottawa Police, the Crown prosecutor, and others for malicious prosecution & negligent investigation," Tamara Lich said.
After one of Canada’s longest mischief trials related to the 2022 Freedom Convoy, Tamara Lich is suing police and Crown prosecutors for malicious prosecution and negligent investigation.
In a post on X, Lich called it “a stand against malicious prosecution and negligent investigation.”
“I’m pleased to announce that I have filed a lawsuit against the Ottawa Police, the Crown prosecutor, and others for malicious prosecution & negligent investigation because this isn’t just about me; it’s about stopping this kind of abuse so no Canadian ever faces it again,” she wrote.
Filed in Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Lich’s statement of claim names the Ottawa Police Service, several officers, the Crown prosecutor and the Attorney General of Ontario.
Lich called the lawsuit a “daunting undertaking” and launched a GiveSendGo campaign to help cover an estimated $100,000 in legal costs.
Alongside Chris Barber, Lich was convicted of mischief for her role in the 2022 Freedom Convoy and sentenced to an 18-month conditional sentence, including house arrest, curfew and community service, reduced to 15½ months for time served.
The conviction followed a nearly two-year trial involving the 2022 protest in Ottawa, which was largely peaceful.
Lich and Barber have appealed their house arrest sentences, arguing the trial judge misapplied the law on their mischief convictions.
Lich’s pretrial release barred contact with other organizers but allowed her to attend a 2022 award ceremony with her lawyer; she says a Canada-wide warrant was later issued related to her appearance.
A photo of Lich with another organizer at the event led to the warrant for allegedly breaching bail conditions. She was subsequently arrested and held without bail until trial.
“There was no investigation. No call to my lawyer. It was issued like I was a violent criminal,” Lich said.
“Homicide detectives flew me back to Ottawa in leg shackles, I lost my job, precious time with my family, was denied bail, and spent 30 days in remand. All for a non-violent mischief case.”
Lich had no prior criminal record and consistently promoted peaceful protest, a fact acknowledged by the courts.
Authorities sought penalties that critics have said were severe compared with typical mischief sentences.
Lich says her case is about alleged abuse of process and Charter protections, including peaceful protest, due process and equal treatment under the law.
“This isn’t just about me,” she stated. “It’s about stopping this kind of abuse so no Canadian ever faces it again.”
In early 2022, thousands joined the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa to protest COVID-19 mandates. The federal government responded by invoking the Emergencies Act in mid-February.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described Canadians opposed to COVID-19 vaccines as a “small, fringe minority” with “unacceptable views” that did not reflect the broader population.
Following the clearing of protesters and measures including the freezing of bank accounts, the government revoked the Emergencies Act on Feb. 23, 2022.
In January, the Federal Court of Appeal upheld a 2024 ruling that the government’s use of the Emergencies Act was not justified, though Ottawa has said it will appeal.