Defence Lawyer at Barber, Lich Trial Says City of Ottawa Changed Bylaw to ‘Freeze Out’ Truckers

Defence lawyer says a bylaw change by the City of Ottawa in early 2022 was an attempt to “freeze out” Freedom Convoy truckers and their families.
Defence Lawyer at Barber, Lich Trial Says City of Ottawa Changed Bylaw to ‘Freeze Out’ Truckers
Trucks are parked on Wellington Street near the Parliament Buildings as truckers and supporters protest against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in Ottawa on Jan. 29, 2022. Patrick Doyle/Reuters
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OTTAWA—The chief of staff to former Ottawa mayor Jim Watson appeared to agree with a defence lawyer’s suggestion that a bylaw change in early 2022 that lowered the temperature at which drivers are allowed to idle their vehicles was an attempt to “freeze out the truckers and their families.”

“You don’t disagree with me, sir, that the effect of this bylaw was an attempt by the city council to freeze out the demonstrators in the red zone, correct?” asked defence lawyer Lawrence Greenspon on Sept. 22, day 13 of the criminal trial of convoy organizers Chris Barber and Tamara Lich.