John Carpay, a representative of the Justice Center of Constitutional Rights, sat down with KelownaNow video host Jim Csek for another livestream focused on recent court proceedings highlighted by the centre.
This week, Carpay and Csek discussed the legal proceedings surrounding Evan Blackman, a Freedom Convoy participant.
Blackman, initially acquitted of mischief and obstructing police charges related to the 2022 Ottawa protests, faces a retrial after a Crown appeal.
Carpay argued that the freezing of Blackman’s bank account under the Emergencies Act was an “unjustified violation of his charter freedoms,” warranting a stay of proceedings if convicted.
Carpay criticized the government’s actions during the 2022 Freedom Convoy, stating, “We turned into a banana republic with polar bears.”
He highlighted the lack of due process when hundreds of bank accounts were frozen.
He referenced a January 2024 federal court ruling that deemed the Emergencies Act invocation illegal, calling the account freezes an “unreasonable search and seizure” that violated charter rights.
Discussing the broader implications, Carpay noted ongoing civil actions against banks, though government orders exempted them from liability.
He suggested these exemptions could be challenged as unconstitutional, potentially allowing affected Canadians to seek compensation.
“It would be great if the banks were held to account because they could have pushed back,” he said.
Carpay also addressed the upcoming sentencing of Freedom Convoy organizers Chris Barber and Tamara Lich, facing up to seven years for mischief-related charges.
He described the prosecutions as a “breakdown in the rule of law,” arguing that non-violent protestors are being unfairly targeted compared to other unprosecuted crimes, such as the vandalism of a Queen Victoria statue in Winnipeg.
The Justice Center continues to fund Barber’s legal defence, emphasizing his compliance with authorities during the protests.
Carpay expressed hope that Canadians have learned from these events, underscoring the need for accountability and an independent media to question government actions.
