The inquiry, officially known as the Public Order Emergency Commission, will begin Oct. 13 to investigate the federal government’s rationale for taking emergency measures to end the long-standing occupation of parts of downtown Ottawa. Protesters rallied against the pandemic restrictions and blocked city streets with trucks and other vehicles, blocking access to neighborhoods and major arteries around Parliament Hill. In a motion filed this week in Ontario Superior Court — first reported by CTV News — Tamara Lich, Pat King, Chris Barber and other protest organizers said they face “significant legal representation requirements” from the commission . They also stated that their banner group, Freedom 2022 Human Rights and Freedoms, has no assets other than the money held in escrow. These funds are part of the more than $20 million in donations raised by the Freedom Convoy during its nearly three-week stay in Ottawa. More than $5 million of that money was placed in escrow pending the outcome of a proposed lawsuit. Ottawa residents and businesses hope to successfully sue protest organizers for more than $300 million in damages. Watch | The Minister states the reasons for the Emergency Law:
Emergency law allowed police to end Ottawa protest convoy: minister
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says invoking the state of emergency law gave law enforcement the necessary authority to end a protest convoy in Ottawa at a special joint committee hearing examining the federal government’s use of the law .
The Group did not apply for available financing
The group was granted “standing status” in the investigation — meaning, in part, it can examine witnesses — in June. At the time, he could have applied for funding for support but did not, according to the committee. In its motion, the group said it expects funding from the Justice Center for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), which has been associated with Freedom Convoy figures like Lich. “JCCF’s funding has been reduced as a result of the end of public measures resulting from the pandemic,” the proposal said, adding that the group would be “significantly prejudiced [during the inquiry] without access to funds for legal representation’. Now the group is instead seeking a hearing to state its case for receiving $450,400 in escrow funds to cover two attorneys for the investigation and two attorneys to support the release of the funds. Just over $83,000 of that is for eight witnesses and clients’ travel and hotel expenses during the investigation. It is unclear which of the convoy’s organizers may testify during the investigation. Lich, Barber and King face criminal charges related to the protest and have been released on bail.
A look at what might be coming
The team’s move also offers a glimpse of what might come of the research. “Moving defendants have located thousands and thousands of documents, videos and photographs subject to Commission counsel’s document production requests,” the motion said. This includes 26 hours of video. The group also opposes Paul Champ’s participation in the investigation. Champ is the attorney representing the residents in the proposed lawsuit. He is also representing a coalition of Ottawa residents and businesses during the investigation. The group said Champ made disparaging comments about them, including in a March 24 tweet referring to a man who said he regretted spending money to support the entourage. (Paul Champ/Twitter) “Respondents are also concerned that Mr. Champ, who has an adverse interest in this matter, will participate in the Public Order Emergency Committee proceedings and have a preemptive opportunity to cross-examine the Freedom Corp participants. before any trial,” the motion states. Champ said in an email Friday that the parties are meeting Sept. 8 to discuss the proposed lawsuit, “where the defendants should try to get the court to give them a motion date on an expedited basis” to release funds. He said the group would have to apply to the commission for funding. Funding for investigations comes from the Privy Council Office, according to the commission.
