Freedom Convoy Organizer Pat King Receives 3-Month Conditional Sentence

Image credits: Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press

Pat King, a key organizer of the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest in downtown Ottawa, has been sentenced to three months of house arrest and 100 hours of community service for his role in the protest. The sentence, which was handed down by Justice Charles Hackland, also includes one year of probation. King was found guilty on five of nine charges in November, including mischief and disobeying a court order, for his role in the protest that took over downtown Ottawa for three weeks. The Crown prosecutor had called for a 10-year sentence, arguing that King's offences were of the "worst kind," but Hackland disagreed, citing a lack of aggravating factors like protest actions specifically targeting vulnerable populations.

King's lawyer, Natasha Calvinho, called the sentencing "very balanced" and said that a 10-year sentence would have made King a "political prisoner." King did not comment after his sentencing due to bail conditions for outstanding perjury and obstruction of justice charges. The sentence comes on top of nine months King spent in custody before and during his trial. King is expected to serve his house arrest in Alberta, where he plans to move after his conditional sentence ends. He has also found employment at a social media company in Quebec, according to his lawyer.

The Freedom Convoy protest, which took place in January and February 2022, brought the "core of the city to a standstill" and disrupted Ottawa services, according to Justice Hackland. King was described as a "positive influence" due to his repeated calls on social media for participants to remain non-violent. The judge said that King's sentence needs to be in line with mischief sentences received by other convoy protest participants in Ottawa, Windsor, Ont. and Coutts, Alta. Most of those sentences ranged from three to six months. King held additional responsibility due to being a leadership figure in the protest, but not enough to warrant a long sentence.

Here is a list of key points from the sentencing: * 3 months of house arrest * 100 hours of community service at a food bank or men's shelter * 1 year of probation * King must remain at his residence during his house arrest, except for time spent on court appointments and community service * King must not return to Ottawa except for court appearances and must stay away from six other convoy leaders, including Tamara Lich and Chris Barber * King issued an apology for his role in the protest and its impact on the residents of Ottawa during the pre-sentencing hearing, which Hackland characterized as "emotional" and "sincere". The apology was seen as a key factor in the sentencing decision, as it showed that King had taken responsibility for his actions and was truly sorry for the harm caused.

The sentencing of Pat King is a significant development in the aftermath of the Freedom Convoy protest. The protest, which was sparked by opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other government policies, brought attention to the concerns of many Canadians and highlighted the need for democratic participation and engagement. While the protest was largely peaceful, it did disrupt the lives of many Ottawa residents and caused significant economic harm to the city. The sentencing of King and other protest leaders will be closely watched as a test of the Canadian justice system's ability to balance the rights of protesters with the need to maintain public order and safety.