A key figure in the Freedom Convoy protest has been found guilty of mischief.
Steeve Charland was found guilty by an Ontario Superior Court judge on Tuesday for his role in the Freedom Convoy protest in downtown Ottawa in early 2022.
Over the course of the trial, the defence argued the convoy demonstration was being “managed” by the City of Ottawa and that the Crown had not established beyond a reasonable doubt that the protest was illegal.
The judge said in French it was unreasonable to believe the city approved of the demonstration. He listed 10 consequences of the protest including street congestion, noise from horns and engines, the closure of some businesses and the disproportionate use of police resources to maintain public order.
During his testimony last year, Charland said he did not understand why he was on the docket at all, insisting he had acted within the limits of the law.
Charland also faced a charge of counselling to commit mischief, but the Crown requested a stay of proceedings for that. Sentencing is expected to take place in February 2025.
Leader of Les Farfadaas
Charland was arrested by Ontario Provincial Police officers in Vankleek Hill, Ont., in February 2022.
From Grenville, Que., Charland is known as a spokesperson for Les Farfadaas, a Quebec group formed to protest against public health measures.
That group was formed from La Meute, regarded by experts to be a far-right, anti-Islam and anti-immigration group.
Charland previously held a senior position within La Meute, a group that maintains an active social media presence, promoting itself online as campaigning for the defence of freedom of expression and democracy, as well as promoting secularism.
People wearing Les Farfadaas patches and leather jackets could often be found around the protest site during the three-week occupation of Ottawa.