Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich has been granted bail again.
Lich faces charges of mischief, obstructing police, counseling others to do wrong, intimidation and, most recently, failing to comply with bail for his role in the mass winter protest-turned-occupation against the restrictions of COVID-19 and the Liberal government.
After being charged with breaching her bail conditions, Lich was ordered to remain in custody pending trial for her role in the protest that paralyzed downtown Ottawa in February.
She had been ordered not to communicate with the main organizers of the convoy except through or in the presence of a lawyer, but was arrested again after she had contact with fellow protester Tom Marazzo at a gala of awards in Toronto last month.
Marazzo is also a leader of a group called Veterans 4 Freedom, which organized several demonstrations in Ottawa over Canada Day weekend.
In court on Monday, his lawyer Lawrence Greenspon argued that the two organizers did nothing more than shake hands and pose for a photo together at the gala.
He had spent 48 days in jail while waiting to plead to non-violent charges, Greenspon said. He added that she may end up spending more time in pretrial custody than she would have to if she is found guilty.
Defense lawyer Lawrence Greenspon speaks to reporters at the Ottawa Courthouse on July 8, 2022, the day Lich had his bail revoked. (David Richard/CBC)
Crown attorney Moiz Karimjee disagreed, saying there’s a chance Lich could serve a lengthy prison term for his role in the Ottawa protests.
On Tuesday morning, Judge Andrew Goodman set aside Lich’s arrest and proceeded to a new bail hearing, essentially a fresh start as if the previous decision had never happened.
Goodman challenged the Crown on Monday about whether it has found a case of mischief approaching the maximum 10-year sentence.
“The answer to that is no, because there has never been an occupation of a city, the capital of Canada, for three weeks,” Karimjee said. “If not in a situation like this, what other situation?”
On Tuesday, Goodman said he found it unlikely under the charges that Lich will spend much time in prison. He also noted that his charges are not violent.
Lich’s trial date has not been set. This week was Lich’s fifth appearance in court to defend his release from prison while awaiting trial.
His new bail conditions include another $37,000 bond and tougher rules about communicating with the same list of people linked to convoys as last time.
“It should be abundantly clear to you by now that the authorities are monitoring your every move,” Goodman told Lich.