A Lambton County man who took part in blockading the Blue Water Bridge and a stretch of Highway 402 between London and Sarnia amid protests of pandemic-related restrictions pleaded guilty to mischief and was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $2,000.
A Lambton County man who took part in blockading the Blue Water Bridge and a stretch of Highway 402 between London and Sarnia amid protests of pandemic-related restrictions pleaded guilty to mischief and was sentenced to two years of probation and fined $2,000.
Steve Verberne, 45, of Watford was arrested Feb. 19 for illegally driving a large quarry truck near his hometown. During an interview with police, he admitted to participating in the so-called Freedom Convoy on Feb. 6 that snarled traffic heading to the US from the Sarnia area, as well as the six-day highway blockade and encampment – described as economic terrorism by Sarnia’s mayor – that started three days later.
“The closure had a significant impact to both commercial traffic and civilian traffic over a period of several days,” Nila Mulpuru, Lambton’s acting Crown attorney, said Monday in a Sarnia courtroom. “The blockade costs the province of Ontario and the community of Warwick millions of dollars to respond to. Police officers were called in from across the province of Ontario to help establish and maintain emergency detour routes.”
Despite the massive police response, none of the protesters, including its apparent leader, were charged. But five days after the highway reopened, Verberne drew the attention of police when he rolled through a stop sign at Egremont Road and London Line in the quarry truck while participating in another convoy.
Verberne, a mechanic, was missing multiple permits, license plates and logs needed to drive the truck as a commercial vehicle, and he also was banned at the time from driving any vehicle unless it had an ignition interlock device.
“The rock truck was not equipped with such a device,” Mulpuru said.
Verberne was charged with prohibited driving under the Criminal Code, five Highway Traffic Act infractions, and a criminal charge of mischief worth more than $5,000 linked to his involvement in the blockade. On Monday, he pleaded guilty only to the mischief charge and received a suspended sentence tied to two years of probation, a $2,000 fine and 150 hours of community service. All of the other charges were withdrawn.
The sentence imposed by Justice Krista Lynn Leszczynski was suggested by lawyers on both sides. Mulpuru pointed out a potential trial would have involved unique and complex legal issues while Verberne co-operated with police at both protest sites.
“In addition, I think it’s important to note here that Mr. Verberne was not an organizer of the events at the Blue Water Bridge or Highway 402,” she said.
Defense lawyer Ryan Venables said his client was attempting to do the right thing by protesting mandates and restrictions he disagreed with, but was misguided in helping to close major highways while doing so.
“Mr. Verberne’s a very proud Canadian,” Venables added.
Verberne declined a chance to address the court.
Leszczynski ordered Verberne to finish his 150 hours of community service four months before his probation order ends.
“Mr. Verberne, you are directly giving back to the community that suffered the harm caused, in part, by your actions,” the judge said.
A Lambton OPP spokesperson confirmed Monday no other charges have been laid linked to the two blockades.
“The OPP continues to remind everyone that we all share the road and share responsibility for road safety,” Const. Jamie Bydeley added via email. Windsor police did lay charges earlier this summer after the “Freedom Convoy” caused havoc and financial damage by shutting down the Canadian side of the Ambassador Bridge.
The convoy’s accused leader also has bounced around multiple courts in attempts to secure bail following a weeks-long encampment and protest in Ottawa.
-with files from The Windsor Star and National Post