The Emergency Act inquiry has heard from the police and local politicians, but now another group is ready to share its perspective: the protesters.
Chris Barber, Tamara Lich and Pat King are names many will know, but this week’s witness list also includes some people who may not be as well known.
The testimony is expected to delve into areas that would not necessarily be covered during criminal trials related to the convoy. It should also provide some behind-the-scenes details from the perspective of those who occupied parts of downtown Ottawa during the protest against the COVID-19 health measures last winter.
Here are some of the 13 people linked to the protest who are expected to testify over the next few days as the Public Order Emergencies Commission continues.
Chris Barber
The group starts Tuesday with Barber, a Saskatchewan trucker with a large social media following who was a key organizer of the convoy.
Barber was charged with mischief, obstructing the police and advising others to commit mischief and intimidation. He was released on bail and is awaiting trial next year.
Brigitte Belton
Along with Barber, truck driver and organizer Brigitte Belton is also expected to testify on Tuesday.
An overview of early protest activity gathered by attorneys for the public inquiry states that Belton posted a video on TikTok on Nov. 16, 2021, after being stopped at the Windsor-Detroit border crossing for not wearing a mask.
In the video, he “expressed his frustration” with public health measures and said, “In Canada, we are no longer free,” the document states. The overview adds that Belton later connected with Barber and appeared alongside him and others at a Facebook Live meeting hosted by Pat King where convoy routes and logistics were discussed.
Steve Charland
Charland is the spokesman for the Farfadaas protest movement and has been called to testify. (Radio-Canada)
Following Belton is Steeve Charland, a Grenville, Que., man who is known as a spokesman for Les Farfadaas, a Quebec group formed to protest public health measures.
This group was formed from La Meute, considered by experts to be a far-right, anti-Islam and anti-immigration group.
Tom Marazzo
Tom Marazzo is among those called to testify this week. He is a former military officer whose LinkedIn profile indicates that he served in the Canadian Forces for 25 years and now works as a freelance software developer.
This profile also lists “Freedom Convoy 2022 Volunteer” as her most recent role, from February to present.
Marazzo is listed as a member of the steering committee of Veterans For Freedom, which describes itself online as a grassroots veterans organization working to “restore fundamental freedoms.”
He was instrumental in organizing the late April protests in Ottawa.
Pat King
King, one of the organizers of the protest, poses for photos in front of Parliament Hill during the convoy. (Patrick Doyle/Reuters)
One of the more familiar names on the witness list is King.
He spent five months in jail before being granted bail in July.
King, an Alberta resident, was a prominent figure in the convoy’s protest against the COVID-19 restrictions.
He was arrested on February 18 on four charges: solicitation, counseling to commit a crime, counseling to commit the crime of disobeying a court order and counseling to obstruct the police. He also faces additional charges of obstruction of justice and perjury.
Benjamin Poet
Benjamin Dichter, who describes himself on social media as the spokesman for the convoy protest, will also be questioned. He previously ran as a candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada.
James Bauder and Daniel Bulford
James Bauder, another of the organizers of the protest, will also testify. He is responsible for creating the Canada Unity group and website that helped develop the initial convoy plan.
Daniel Bulford, a former RCMP officer who was on the prime minister’s security detail, will also appear. He resigned after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and is the convoy’s security chief.
Tamara Lich
Lich is another well-known figure in the convoy and a key organizer of the protest.
She was charged along with Barber and spent time in and out of custody amid bail reviews before being released in July to await trial.
Lich has been seen watching the investigation since it began.
Lich, left, and lawyers Eva Chipiuk, centre, and Keith Wilson arrive at the Emergency Public Order Commission in Ottawa on Thursday, October 13, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Keith Wilson
A more recent addition to the witness list is Keith Wilson, the attorney representing several protesters facing criminal charges.
He previously said their testimony during the investigation is protected and cannot be used against them in court.
“Tamara Lich and Chris Barber and others facing criminal charges stemming from the protests are safe to testify, be transparent and tell the truth,” Wilson said. “They are required to answer the questions.”