| Ontario dad demands answers after his bank accounts are frozen in case that could strengthen the Charter rights of all Canadians Dear friend of freedom,Every day, Canadians rely on access to their bank accounts to pay bills, manage expenses, and support their families.But imagine discovering that your bank accounts had been frozen, with no explanation and no warning.Your online banking access denied. Your ATM cash withdrawal requests denied. Your pre-authorized payments blocked, jeopardizing your vehicle, mortgage, or insurance payments. Evan Blackman experienced this, along with hundreds of other Canadians.  |
| Evan Blackman with his son Damian (Photo courtesy of Evan Blackman) |
| Police arrested Evan in downtown Ottawa on February 18, 2022, during the violent suppression of the peaceful Freedom Convoy protest. Though police released him that same day, he later discovered that his Toronto-Dominion Bank accounts had been frozen. “The initial impact was drastic, being five hours away from home,” he explained. “It was an absolute shock to find out my bank accounts were frozen. As a self-employed worker, it not only affected my family, but my employees as well.” |
| Support Evan’s defence today |
| A legal journey begins for Evan and his family |
| Four days after the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act against the peaceful protesters resisting Covid vaccine mandates and lockdowns, police arrested Evan and charged him with mischief and obstruction. The Crown’s prosecution rested on a 14-minute drone video and the testimony of a single police officer. The video footage showed Evan attempting to de-escalate tensions between police and protestors. At one point, he was even seen holding others back and raising his hand to prevent conflict. The footage showed Evan kneeling in front of officers, hat in hand, singing O Canada.At his trial in October 2023, the judge dismissed all charges against Evan. The Crown failed to produce persuasive evidence that Evan had done anything criminal. The judge found the police officer’s testimony unreliable and even described Evan as a “peacemaker.”For a brief moment, it felt like Evan’s life could finally return to normal. |
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| Evan Blackman with his son Damian (Photo courtesy of Evan Blackman) |
| Regrettably, the Ottawa Crown Attorney’s Office appealed the decision, claiming that the judge had made several legal errors. Lawyers provided by the Justice Centre, however, have turned the tables. In the retrial of this case, Evan’s legal team will argue that the freezing of his bank accounts violated his constitutional rights and will seek the dismissal of his case as a remedy if he is convicted.On July 4, 2025, a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice ordered the RCMP and TD Bank to produce key records related to how and why Evan’s accounts were frozen. Evan thanked the Justice Centre after the decision was made public, remarking, “I’m delighted that we will finally get records that may reveal why my bank accounts were frozen.” Evan’s retrial is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 14, 2025. By supporting the Justice Centre with a donation, you’ll not only be supporting Evan’s case. You’ll be one step closer to protecting your own bank accounts from interference by Canadian governments. |
| I want to support Evan and stop governments from touching my bank accounts in the future |
| This is the first criminal trial in Canadian history to involve a Charter challenge against the use of emergency powers to freeze personal bank accounts. Evan’s experience remains a stark reminder of how quickly core freedoms can be threatened when governments violate Canadians’ rights in the name of public safety and national security.If you have not previously donated to the Justice Centre, please consider doing so today. You can join other freedom-loving Canadians who make it possible for us to defend your freedoms in courts of law and in the court of public opinion. Please consider becoming a monthly donor so that the Justice Centre can continue to defend your rights and freedoms throughout 2025. Yours sincerely, |
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| John Carpay, B.A., LL.B. |