Conservative leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis says Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich meets the definition of a political prisoner, and called for an amendment to the Emergencies Act to require a minimum of two-thirds of Parliament to invoke it.."Tamara Lich is just one example of what happens when government uses its power to control Canadians, to inflame hate and division and to infest independent institutions with political operatives," Lewis said. "The fact we have to ask if Canada has political prisoners speaks to the state of our declining democracy.".In an email sent out to supporters Thursday, Lewis said the Liberal Party has used COVID-19 to create an environment that has undermined Canada's institutions for political gains. She alluded to the erosion of Canadians' constitutional rights and the weaponization of the country's justice system, law enforcement, health system and media.."There seems to be no depth that Justin Trudeau and the Liberals will not sink to in order to control our thoughts, actions and even our democratic institutions.".Lewis outlined the many ways Lich fit the definition of a political prisoner. The 49-year-old Freedom Convoy organizer was recently released from jail after being arrested for allegedly breaching the conditions of her bail when she met with organizer Tom Marazzo at a civil liberties awards gala event..The Justice of the Peace then denied Lich bail, saying "your detention is necessary to maintain confidence in the administration of justice.".Lewis pointed out Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman, who later granted Lich bail, found the previous Justice of the Peace had “overstated” the impact of the contact made between Tamara and Marazzo at the gala. ."Justice Goodman emphasized the presumption of innocence that is entrenched in our Charter and noted that it is important not confuse bail with being on trial: '…whether or not the applicant participated in any criminal conduct will ultimately fall to be decided by a trial court,'" Lewis said.."Tamara does meet the definition of a political prisoner, as she was imprisoned for her political beliefs and actions," Lewis said, adding two agents of the court had ties to the Liberal party and did not recuse themselves from Tamara’s case..Lewis said throughout COVID-19, the governing Liberals normalized charging and disciplining doctors with different opinions, charging pastors who held outdoor drive-in services, freezing the bank accounts of protestors, and "numerous other character assassinations.".Lewis said the only solution to cure the "fragility" of Canada's democracy is to get all citizens to acknowledge the dangerous path the country is on.
