Pat King, a key figure in the 2022 convoy protest, reacts outside the Ottawa Courthouse after receiving his sentence on February 19. The Canadian Press
Pat King, a key organizer of the 2022 convoy protest in Ottawa, has been sentenced to three months of house arrest. The Crown had asked for a 10-year prison sentence, but the judge ruled that such a punishment would discourage political participation.
After serving his house arrest, King will be on probation for 12 months and must complete 100 hours of community service at a food bank or men’s shelter.
Justice Charles Hackland of the Ontario Superior Court considered the nine months King had already spent in custody before and during his trial. Last November, he was found guilty of five charges, including mischief, disobeying a court order, and counseling others to commit crimes. However, he was acquitted of three intimidation-related charges.
The judge acknowledged King’s role in the protest, which disrupted downtown Ottawa over COVID-19 mandates. However, he also noted that King tried to calm the situation by urging protesters to leave and relocate to a rural area—though his call was ignored.
King was not at the center of the protest’s leadership once it reached Ottawa. His online messages encouraged protesters to avoid violence and follow the law, which the judge said may have prevented the situation from escalating further.
Justice Hackland dismissed the Crown’s argument that the convoy was one of the most serious cases of mischief. He warned against imposing extreme sentences for political protests, as it could create fear and discourage people from expressing their views.
"In the court’s opinion, overly harsh sentences for political protests could have a chilling effect on free expression," the judge said. He also acknowledged that concerns over government COVID-19 policies remain a topic of public debate.
King’s supporters embraced him in court after the ruling. However, he did not speak to the media, as his bail conditions forbid it. His lawyer, Natasha Calvinho, assured reporters that King would eventually regain his voice.
Calvinho argued that a 10-year sentence would have turned King into a "political prisoner." She claimed that he was being unfairly blamed for the actions of others during the protest.
"He’s loud, he’s visible, and it’s easy to make him the scapegoat," Calvinho said. "But we don’t imprison people for things they didn’t do."
She confirmed that King would serve his sentence in Alberta.
Crown prosecutor Moiz Karimjee did not respond to media questions, and Ontario’s Attorney-General’s office also declined to comment on the case.
