Sentencing delayed for Freedom Convoy organizer Pat King

Freedom Convoy organizer Pat King was expected to be sentenced Thursday for his role in the disruptive protest that brought Ottawa's downtown to a standstill for more than three weeks in early 2022, but that has been delayed.

Justice Charles Hackland informed the court Thursday morning that he'll only hear only sentencing submissions today. He has not said when King will be sentenced.

Crown prosecutor Moiz Karimjee is seeking a significant penalty for King, who in November was convicted in Ontario Superior Court of five criminal charges: two counts of disobeying a court order and one each of mischief, counselling to commit mischief and counselling to obstruct a public or peace officer. 

A mischief conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. 

Hackland determined King "personally led a large convoy" and used his social media presence to plan and encourage disruptive activities.

The court found King's own social media videos documented his leadership and broadcast his intentions both before and during the protest. 

Evidence presented during the trial showed King directed truckers to ignore a court injunction banning the honking of horns in the downtown area. He also organized a "slow roll" near the Ottawa International Airport and assisted in blockading Wellington Street near Parliament Hill.

King was acquitted of three intimidation-related charges, and Hackland noted in his decision that he had not threatened violence or property damage. 

King's lawyer Natasha Calvinho previously expressed disappointment with the decision, but pointed to his acquittal on the intimidation charges as a sign that King's intentions were not violent.

King's arrest in February 2022, which was livestreamed on social media, made national headlines. Following his arrest, King faced a protracted bail process during which he was kept in custody over concerns he might re-offend. 

He was eventually released in July 2022 under strict conditions including limits on his social media use.

In August 2023, King was briefly jailed again for allegedly breaching his bail conditions but was later released under tighter restrictions.

Thursday marks 1,064 days after King's arrest.