Convoy figure seeking U.S. asylum wanted on Canada-wide warrant
James Bauder, a key figure in the 2022 “Freedom Convoy” seeking asylum in the United States, is currently facing a Canada-wide warrant after failing to appear in court in Ottawa to face criminal charges related to his involvement in the protest. Bauder, who left Canada earlier this year, is charged with offenses including mischief and intimidation. He claims that he is being politically persecuted and has raised nearly $13,000 online to cover his legal fees.
Despite his absence in court, Bauder has been actively involved in various activities in the United States. He has attended events and interviews with affiliates of Donald Trump, such as Roger Stone and Wayne Allyn Root, who have pledged to assist with his asylum claim. Bauder’s trial is scheduled for three weeks in November and December, where he will face charges related to the 2022 protest.
During the public commission investigating the federal government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act to end the 2022 protest, Bauder admitted to leading a smaller convoy to Ottawa in 2021 to protest public health rules. He delivered a “memorandum of understanding” to the Senate and the governor general, demanding the cancellation of COVID-19 measures and for then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign for alleged crimes against humanity.
Bauder’s argument of “political persecution” was rejected by the court, as the judge emphasized that the Superior Court is unbiased and there has been no evidence of political bias in Bauder’s case. Despite his claims, Bauder’s attempt to have his court case moved from Ottawa to other locations in Ontario was unsuccessful.
In addition to facing criminal charges, Bauder is also named in a class action lawsuit by Ottawa residents seeking damages over the 2022 protest and the subsequent occupation of the city’s downtown area. While other convoy protest leaders like Tamara Lich, Chris Barber, and Pat King have been found guilty for their roles in the protest, Bauder’s legal fate remains uncertain as he continues to fight his case from the United States.
