The sentencing hearing for Pat King, a prominent organizer of the 2022 “Freedom Convoy” protest, has commenced, but a final decision is expected to take several weeks, according to Superior Court Justice Charles Hackland in Ottawa.
King was found guilty in November on five charges, including mischief and violating a court order. However, he was acquitted on charges of intimidation and obstructing police.
The Crown is seeking a significant prison term, potentially as long as 10 years, while King’s defense team argues for a sentence limited to time already served and probation.
As a central figure in the January 2022 protests against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates, King drew thousands of demonstrators to Parliament Hill, causing widespread disruption. The prolonged protest gridlocked downtown Ottawa, with locals complaining about incessant honking, music, and the fumes from idling diesel trucks.
During the hearing, Crown prosecutor Moiz Karimjee introduced a victim impact statement from Sarah Davis, executive director of Cornerstone Housing for Women, a shelter for women escaping domestic violence. Davis detailed how the protest created an unsafe and distressing environment for residents, citing sleep disturbances, fears of leaving the shelter, and an incident requiring the shelter to hire additional security.
Justice Hackland questioned why Davis had not testified during the trial, noting that her testimony resembled that of other downtown residents already considered in the verdict. While acknowledging Davis’ concerns, the judge said it would be challenging to directly link her allegations to King at this stage.
Karimjee argued that King, as a leader of the protest, bore responsibility for its impact on Ottawa residents and urged the court to consider community-based victim impact statements as aggravating factors in sentencing.
King’s lawyer, Natasha Calvinho, countered that such statements should be treated as evidence if they are to influence the sentencing. After further deliberations, Justice Hackland agreed to consider Davis’ statement, emphasizing its relevance in illustrating the protest’s effect on vulnerable populations, particularly women in the shelter.
The hearing is set to continue on Friday.
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