Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich arrives at the courthouse in Ottawa for sentencing on Oct. 7, 2025. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang
Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich attended a court hearing on July 22 to ask for permission to travel internationally, including visiting the White House in the United States and going on a cruise through the Caribbean as part of her job as a journalist with Rebel News.
Lich, along with fellow convoy organizer Chris Barber, has been sentenced to house arrest, with few exceptions allowing her to leave home, including for work.
Lich has requested to attend press events at the White House, go on a cruise through the Caribbean featuring panel discussions organized by Rebel News, and visit the American state of Arizona to speak with comedian Rob Schneider.
In an affidavit supporting Lich’s request to ease her conditions, Rebel Media Founder and CEO Ezra Levant said he believes the U.S. embassy will assist the news organization and Lich in “doing important journalism in the U.S., including interviewing key newsmakers.”
During the court hearing on July 22, Crown prosecutors opposed the request, saying the trip is “unnecessary” and would diminish the impact of her sentencing, and would allow her to profit from the protest in a way that brings “disrepute” to the judiciary.
The court proceedings ended in the afternoon, and will continue next month.
Sentence
Lich and Barber were found guilty of mischief in April 2025 for their roles in the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions. Barber was also found guilty of counselling others to disobey a court order.
The pair were not found guilty of additional charges of
, counselling to commit intimidation, or obstructing police. The two were handed 18-month conditional sentences in October 2025, which includes house arrest, a curfew, and community service.
A month after being sentenced in October 2025, Lich asked for permission to leave her home to attend her grandchildren’s school, which she was given. She has also travelled to other provinces for her job with Rebel News, including to Ottawa in May.
The Crown is also appealing the sentencing and acquittals of Lich and Barber, while Lich and Barber have filed appeals against their convictions, and Barber is appealing his sentence. The Crown’s appeal is expected to be heard in spring 2027.
Lich has said the Crown is continuing to request seven years of jail time for Lich and eight years for Barber, and that the two be found guilty of intimidation for their role in the protest. She said by the time her court case is over, “if it ever truly is,” her prosecution alone will have cost Ontario taxpayers around $15 million.
