About - Ottawa Convoy Class Action

The Lawsuit

This is a proposed class action lawsuit seeking compensation for the serious harms and losses experienced by the residents, businesses, and workers in downtown Ottawa due to the Freedom Convoy occupation.

Why?

The Defendants deliberately planned and coordinated tactics to block all the streets and roadways around Parliament Hill and the surrounding neighbourhoods, and to make as much noise and air pollution as possible to cause discomfort and distress to Ottawa residents, business, and workers to coerce governments to comply with their demands.

The non-stop blaring horns, diesel fumes, unexpected fireworks, and loud sound systems blasting music have caused the residents unbearable torment in the sanctity of their own homes.

The Defendants are aware or ought to be aware that these tactics can cause permanent physical damage and psychological harm. The Defendants have acted with wanton disregard towards the residents, businesses, and workers of Ottawa.

Canada is a free and democratic society with a long tradition of peaceful protest and assemblies. The Defendants have abused those freedoms to cause serious harm to others, innocent bystanders to the Defendants’ pursuit of their misguided political goals.

Details

Damages Claimed

The damages claimed are

$60-million for pain and suffering and psychological distress
$70-million for business losses
$150-million for loss of wages
Disgorgement of all funds raised by the Defendants to faciliate the tortious conduct
$10-million as punitive damages
Injunctive relief prohibiting the continuation of the tortious behaviour
Interest
Legal costs, including HST

See in Claim

Defendants

The defendants are

Harold Jonker, West Lincoln, Ontario, as representative of all drivers who operated semi-tractor trucks and used those trucks in the tortious activities
Jonker Trucking Inc, as representative of all owners of semi-tractor trucks that were used for the tortious activities
Brad Howland, Kars, New Brunswick, as representative of all those who donated to the Freedom Convoy after February 4, 2022
Chris Barber, Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Benjamin Dichter, Toronto, Ontario
Tamara Lich, Medicine Hat, Alberta
Patrick King, Red Deer, Alberta
James Bauder, Alberta
Brigitte Belton, Wallaceburg, Ontario
Daniel Bulford, Ottawa, Ontario
Dale Enns, Winkler, Manitoba
Chad Eros, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Chris Garrah, Ottawa, Ontario
Miranda Gasior, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
Joe Jansen, Winkler, Manitoba
Jason LaFace, Sudbury, Ontario
Tom Marazzo, Amherstview, Ontario
Ryan Mihilewicz, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Sean Tiessen, Grand Forks, British Columbia
Nicholas St. Louis (a.k.a. “@NobodyCaribou”), Ottawa, Ontario
Freedom 2022 Human Rights and Freedoms Inc.
GiveSendGo LLC
Jacob Wells, Virginia Beach, Virginia

See in Claim

Representative Plaintiffs

The representative plaintiffs and subclasses they represent are

Zexi Li, for all persons residing in the Occupation Zone
Happy Goat and Union: Local 613, for all businesses operating in the Occupation Zone
Geoffrey Devaney, for all employees working within the Occupation Zone who lost wages due to the Defendants' tortious behaviour

Those who contributed to or actively supported the Freedom Convoy are excluded from the class.

See in Claim

Occupation Zone

The proposed class includes the residents, businesses, and employees working in the area of downtown Ottawa referred to as the “Occupation Zone”, as shown on the map below.

If you live, work or do business in this zone, you will automatically be part of the proposed class action unless you contributed to or actively supported the convoy, or if you choose to opt out of the class action.

All addresses and properties on either side of Wellington Street from Booth Street to MacKenzie Avenue, MacKenzie Avenue from Wellington Street to St. Patrick Street, St. Patrick Street from MacKenzie Avenue to Sussex Drive, Sussex Drive from St. Patrick Street to Boteler Street, Boteler Street from Sussex Drive to King Edward Avenue, Kind Edward Avenue from Boteler Street to Murray Street, Murray Street from King Edward Avenue to Beausoleil Drive, Beausoleil Drive from Murray Street to Friel Street, Friel Street from Beausoleil Drive to Laurier Avenue East, Laurier Avenue East from Friel Street to Waller Street, Waller Street from Laurier Avenue to Nicholas Street, Nicholas Street from Waller Street to Laurier Avenue, Laurier Avenue from Nicholas Street to the Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Queen Elizabeth Driveway from Laurier Avenue to Somerset Street West, Somerset Street West from Queen Elizabeth Driveway to Bay Street, Bay Street from Somerset Street West to Lisgar Street, Lisgar Street from Bay Street to Bronson Avenue, Bronson Avenue from Lisgar Street to Slater Street, Slater Street from Bronson Avenue to Albert Street, Albert Street from Slater Street to Booth Street, Booth Street from Albert Street to Wellington Street.

See in Claim