Lawyers for Evan Blackman are demanding that the RCMP and Toronto Dominion Bank hand over records detailing why his personal bank accounts were frozen following the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest.
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announced Thursday it would argue that the freezing violated Mr. Blackman’s constitutional rights.
Blackman was arrested on February 18, 2022, during police action after the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act. Although he was released the same day, he later discovered that three of his bank accounts had been frozen without warning.
“It was an absolute shock to find out my bank accounts were frozen,” said Blackman, a self-employed worker. “It not only affected my family, but my employees as well.”
At his first trial in October 2023, Blackman pleaded not guilty to charges of mischief and obstructing a police officer.
The Crown’s case relied on a 14-minute, soundless drone video and the testimony of a single police officer. The video showed Blackman deescalating tensions by holding back other protestors, raising his hand to prevent confrontation, and kneeling while singing O Canada.
The judge acquitted Blackman, citing the officer’s poor memory and lack of solid evidence. However, the Crown has appealed the decision, and a retrial is set for August 14.
If convicted, his lawyers plan to argue under section 24(1) of the Charter that freezing his bank accounts was a constitutional violation and that the charges should be stayed.
“The freezing of Mr. Blackman’s bank accounts was an extreme overreach on the part of the police and the federal government,” said constitutional lawyer Chris Fleury.
“We are hopeful that the court will compel the RCMP and TD Bank to produce records that explain exactly how and why his accounts were frozen.”
