BARBER KEEPS ‘BIG RED’

OTTAWA — One of the main organizers of the 2022 “Freedom Convoy” won’t have to forfeit a long-haul truck used in the 2022 protest, following a court ruling Friday.

Diane Magas, Chris Barber’s lawyer, says an Ontario court judge denied the forfeiture application brought by the Crown, despite the truck — called “Big Red” — being “offence-related property.” Magas says Barber is relieved to be able to keep the truck “that has been part of his business and family for over 20 years.”

Barber was found guilty earlier this year of mischief and counselling others to disobey a court order for his role in organizing the convoy which blockaded downtown Ottawa for more than three weeks in January and February 2022 to protest pandemic measures. He is appealing his 18-month conditional sentence.

Magas says the judge determined seizing the truck would be a “disproportionate” punishment.

RECALL FOR LISTERIA

OTTAWA — Five food products, ranging from salads to noodle bowls, distributed across Western Canada have been recalled due to possible listeria contamination.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the affected products are branded “Inspiredgo” and include Greek Mezze salad, Dill Chickpea salad and Super Solstice salad packages. The brand’s bento noodle bowl and pickle platter snack pack products are also affected. The recalled items were distributed across all four provinces in Western Canada and through online channels.

The CFIA says there have been no cases of reported illnesses stemming from eating the affected products. Consumers are asked to throw out or return the affected products, as eating them could lead to severe illness or even death in some cases.

BAIL GRANTED AS CASE REVIEWED

MONTREAL — A Quebec judge has granted bail to a man who has spent 33 years behind bars for four murders, after concerns were raised about the fairness of his trial.

Daniel Jolivet’s case is being examined by a federal panel for a possible miscarriage of justice. In the meantime, Quebec Superior Court Justice Lyne Décarie announced on Friday at the Montreal courthouse that Jolivet will be released from prison pending the outcome of the review.

Jolivet, 68, was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder in 1994 in Brossard, Que., south of Montreal.

In June, the Crown wrote to Jolivet’s lawyer to say it had reasonable grounds to conclude that the accused did not receive a fair and equitable trial. In October, the federal government announced there were reasonable grounds to believe a miscarriage of justice had occurred in the case and the Justice Department’s criminal conviction review group will investigate.

Prosecutor Lina Thériault said both the Crown and defence had consented to have Jolivet released pending the review of his case. St-Jacques said that review could take up to five years.

INTERIM LEADER NAMED

MONTREAL — The Quebec Liberals have named Marc Tanguay as their interim leader following the resignation this week of Pablo Rodriguez.

Tanguay had been named interim leader after former leader Dominique Anglade stepped down in November 2022, and had remained in the role until Rodriguez was elected in June.

Party president Rafael P. Ferraro says Tanguay’s experience and judgment make him the right person to ensure stability as the Liberals prepare for a new leader.

Rodriguez resigned this week amid allegations of vote-buying and reimbursed donations during his leadership campaign earlier this year, though he insists he did nothing wrong.

» The Canadian Press

The party says the executive council will meet in the coming days to decide how a permanent leader will be chosen.

» The Canadian Press