1 week Ago By Ken Warren
Share this Story : Convoy protest charges against ex-MPP Randy Hillier stayed due to delays Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links News Local News Convoy protest charges against ex-MPP Randy Hillier stayed due to delays In a ruling dated Thursday, a judge ggreed with Hillier's argument that his Charter right to be tried within a reasonable time frame had been violated. Get the latest from Ken Warren straight to your inbox Sign Up Author of the article: Ken Warren Published Nov 15, 2024 • Last updated 40 minutes ago • 2 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account.
A file photo of Randy Hillier in Ottawa during the convoy protest in February 2022. Photo by Ashley Fraser / POSTMEDIA Article content All charges against former MPP Randy Hillier relating to the February 2022 convoy protest in Ottawa have been stayed because of extensive court delays. Hillier, who represented Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston as an independent after being removed from the Conservative caucus in 2019, had been facing a nine-pack of charges stemming from the trucker blockade along Wellington Avenue in front of Parliament Hill.
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Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content The charges included two counts of mischief, three counts of counselling to commit an indictable offence, three counts of obstructing a police officer and one count of assaulting a police officer.
In a ruling dated Thursday, Superior Court Justice Kerry McVey agreed with Hillier’s argument that his Charter right to be tried within a reasonable time frame had been violated. A four-week trial had been scheduled to begin next Jan. 27 in Ottawa, with an anticipated ending of Feb.
25. That would amount to a total of 34 months 28 days since police charged Hillier. Factoring in 105 days for delays caused by the defence and for “exceptional circumstances,” McVey ruled that Hillier had been waiting for 31 months 13 days for a trial.
A previous 30-month ceiling on delays had been established by the Supreme Court in the 2016 decision R v. Jordan. “As a result, the application is granted,” McVey wrote.
“The charges against Mr. Hillier are dropped.” Hillier, who has a legion of loyal followers on social media, posted a video Friday saying, “Today is a day to celebrate.
All criminal charges against me from the Freedom Convoy have been dropped.” Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The case against Hillier included charges that he inspired his 56,000 online followers to flood non-emergency police lines during the convoy protest demonstration despite a police plea to the public to keep communication channels open.
Police had received 274 malicious calls during a six-day period, according to the Crown case. Hillier had told his on-line supporters to keep calling because “in a democracy, expressing yourself is a fundamental freedom.” The prosecution also said Hillier had disregarded a police officer’s directions and used his shoulder to push an officer away, allowing demonstrators to pass through a barricade.
Despite emergency orders against it, the Crown also contended that Hillier told his supporters to continue stocking the protesters with gasoline and food. A file photo from March 28, 2022, shows Randy Hillier outside after he surrendered at Ottawa police headquarters and was charged in connection with the convoy protest earlier that year. Photo by Tony Caldwell / POSTMEDIA In 2023, Hillier and his lawyers applied to the court to move a pending trial away from Ottawa, suggesting jurors could be unfairly biased against him due to the “political demonization” of the demonstration in the national capital.
After an extended, drawn-out fight, the courts denied that application in September 2023. [email protected] X: Citizenkwarren With files from Aedan Helmer Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.
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