Trucking company owner and former town councilor Harold Jonker is free on bail, after being arrested earlier this month for having participated in the Freedom Convoy well over a year ago.
Former Niagara area councillor facing 4 charges connected to truck convoy protests | CBC News - Aura Carreño Rosas:
May 4, 21023 - "Former West Lincoln councillor Harold Jonker is facing several charges for his involvement with the 2022 truck convoy protests.... Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) said Jonker was arrested April 29 ... after he turned himself in at a police station in Grimsby, Ont. Ottawa Police Service told CBC Hamilton in an email Jonker has been charged with two counts of counselling 'an uncommitted indictable offence,' one count of mischief/obstruct property and one count of intimidation by blocking or obstructing highway.
"Jonker was the Ward 2 councillor in West Lincoln before losing his seat by 180 votes to Joann Chechalk in the October 2022 municipal elections. While in office earlier last year, Jonker was suspended from the West Lincoln council for 30 days without pay due to his participation in the protests. In February, 2022 Jonker attended a council-related committee meeting virtually from Ottawa while occupying some streets around Parliament Hill.Jonker — who is also the operations manager at Jonker Trucking Inc. — had gone to Ottawa to participate in the convoy protest on Jan. 28, 2022.... The action was determined by Ottawa police to be 'unlawful' and led to a call by West Lincoln Integrity Commissioner John Mascarin for an investigation....
"During his time in office, Jonker's actions in Ottawa caused divisions locally. In a series of tweets on Feb. 11, 2022, Ward 3 councillor William Reilly said Jonker had missed several meetings and said he should consider resigning.... However, West Lincoln's former mayor, Dave Bylsma, supported Jonker....
"The protests began in January 2022 calling for an end to all vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions. Thousands joined the movement that clogged numerous downtown Ottawa streets for over three weeks before the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canada's history. Several protest organizers are also facing charges and are expected to face trial in September."
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/harold-jonker-convoy-protest-arrest-1.6832413
Harold Jonker arrested in relation to charges for freedom Convoy 2022 | Tim Jonker, YouTube, May 2, 2023:
May 11, 2023 - "Former West Lincoln, ON, township councillor Harold Jonker is out on bail over his conduct related to the Freedom Convoy.... Jonker said on May 2 the Ottawa Police Service laid criminal charges against him for attending the Freedom Convoy.
"He came out the police station and said he is facing four charges ... one count of mischief, obstruction of property, one count of intimidation by blocking or obstructing highway, and two counts of counselling to commit an indictable offence.... Jonker said ... [that a] few trucks from his company showed up in Ottawa, and police escorted them to their spots. He said the charges do not make sense.
"While his bank account was not frozen during the Freedom Convoy, he said his trucking company was shut down for one week. This was tough for the company, but worse for the drivers.
"Jonker’s next court date is scheduled for June 7, but he doesn't have to attend. His lawyer will see the evidence and decide how to proceed. The main question his lawyer has is why was he charged 15 months later and what are police coming with?"
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