Randy Hillier’s motorcade protest charges postponed due to court delays

All charges former MPP Randy Hillier faces in connection with the 2022 convoy protest in Ottawa have been postponed due to court delays.

The former Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston independent was facing nine charges, including two counts of criminal mischief, three counts of counseling to commit a criminal offence, three counts of obstructing a police officer and one count of assaulting a police officer.

However, Judge Kerry McVey, in his decision dated November 14, decided to stay the trial on the grounds that Hillier’s right to a trial within a reasonable time was violated.

Despite a 65-day deduction for defense-related delays and a further 40 days for “exceptional circumstances,” McVey found Hillier waited 31 months and 13 days.

This follows the 2016 Supreme Court decision in R. v. It exceeds the 30-month ceiling set in the Jordan decision.

The judge’s decision states, “As a result, the application was accepted.” “The charges against Mr. Hillier have been discontinued.”

“Today is a day to celebrate,” Hillier said in a video posted on social media shortly after 11 a.m. Friday.

“All charges against me from the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa have been discontinued,” he added.

More to come.