Windsor Police Officer Appeals ‘Unduly Harsh’ Discipline for $50 Freedom Convoy Donation

Supporters of the Freedom Convoy protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in front of Parliament in Ottawa, Canada, on Jan. 28, 2022. Dave Chan/AFP via Getty Images

An Ontario tribunal has initiated a new hearing for a Windsor police officer appealing his conviction and penalty for a donation to the Freedom Convoy in 2022. A defence lawyer said the prior conviction was “unduly harsh” and disregarded the officer’s freedom of expression.

Const. Michael Brisco was found guilty of “discreditable conduct” following a Windsor police disciplinary hearing in March after he made a $50 donation on Feb. 8, 2022, to support the Freedom Convoy protest. In a subsequent penalty hearing in May, he was ordered to forfeit 80 hours of work as punishment.