Pat King apologizes for role in Freedom Convoy, faces sentencing next month

Freedom Convoy figurehead Pat King has apologized for his role in the 2022 protests, saying the fallout from his actions in Ottawa has left him unable to sleep, fearing for his safety, enduring online harassment, and facing financial ruin.

"I am extremely sorry for what happened to the City of Ottawa, and for that, I absolutely apologize for my actions," he said, adding that he "can relate" to what downtown residents experienced during the weeks-long gridlock and constant horn honking.

King made the comments at the conclusion of sentencing submissions to determine whether he will go to jail – and for how long – for his role as one of the protest leaders. A decision is expected on Feb. 7.

In November, King was convicted in Ontario Superior Court on five criminal charges: mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counselling to obstruct a public or peace officer, and two counts of disobeying a court order.

'Worst kind of mischief'

Crown prosecutor Moiz Karimjee called King's offending of the "worst kind" and asked for a 10-year sentence, the maximum penalty for mischief.

King's defence requested time-served, citing the days he spent behind bars after his February 2022 arrest.

Victim impact statements, a pre-sentencing report on King's history, letters from supporters, and a jailhouse interview he gave in July 2022 were included as part of the sentencing submissions.

Superior Court Justice Charles Hackland previously wrote that King's "moral culpability" was "significant" as an "organizer and leader who aimed to gridlock, or bear hug the capital."

Near the end of Friday's court proceedings, Hackland indicated he was likely to consider a sentence ranging from time-served to two years in jail.

King's sentence will set precedent as the first convicted leader of the Freedom Convoy to face significant punishment. Others, including Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, are awaiting the outcomes of their trials.

Karimjee said King committed the "worst kind of mischief," pointing to the cost to city officials and the impact on the community.

He argued that there is a "concrete" fear King might repeat his law-breaking behaviour and said King promoted a "dangerous idea" of inflicting pain on citizens to bring about societal change.

In a July 2022 interview King gave to a supporter from jail, he credited the Freedom Convoy for ending COVID-19 mandates.

Karimjee asked for a "powerful" and "chilling" sentence, arguing that King's comments in the interview showed he still believed in "extorting political change" through lawbreaking.

Karimjee told the court it was "pure fiction" to suggest the protests simply got out of control, because King orchestrated the occupation of Ottawa from the start.

The Crown highlighted comments King made as early as Jan. 12, 2022 – weeks before arriving in Ottawa – where he spoke about bringing "fear" and "scaring" people, which, Karimjee argued revealed King's intentions.

He described King's actions as "an attack on the rule of law and democratic process" because King tried to change government policy by gridlocking the city.

Court pushback against proposed sentence

Hackland repeatedly suggested Karimjee's proposed sentence was too high, flatly stating at one point he "did not agree" that King's conviction met the high threshold for a 10-year sentence, while making clear he was still deliberating.

The judge's comments elicited smiles and looks of encouragement from King and a handful of his supporters. 

King's conviction was "not a minor mischief" however, Hackland said, noting that King did not appear to regret his actions.

As the proceedings wrapped up Friday, Hackland said the range he had to consider was between time-served and a jail term of more than two years. "That's my impression," he said.

Defence opposes imprisonment

The defence argues that King has already spent enough time in jail and should serve any sentence in the community.

King's lawyer, Natasha Calvinho, called the prospect of a 10-year sentence "absolutely outrageous", accusing the Crown of seeking to punish King for the "sum total of the result of the Freedom Convoy."

During his statement, King said he now struggles to find employment and spoke about the harsh conditions he faced while in custody, saying he was "threatened" and "constantly under threats of violence."

King says he owes around $250,000 in legal fees.

While King accepted his guilt, he argued that there was no court injunction against parking trucks on residential streets when he helped organize the protests.

He blamed police for deciding where protesters could park and the media for slandering him. 

"I don't want to live in a country where I get 10 years for standing up for what I believe in," King said.

Impact on vulnerable communities

During Thursday's sentencing submissions, Hackland acknowledged the impact the protests had on vulnerable communities.

A victim impact statement was read into the record from a representative of a women's shelter, who described the trauma experienced by those affected by the protests.

"The women expressed, often, that it was like experiencing the abuse all over again," said Sarah Davis, the former executive director of Cornerstone Housing for Women.