To hit Trump's new proposed target for military spending by NATO members of 5 per cent of GDP, Canada would need to spend $164 billion annually on defence, every year -- about 37% of the total fed govt. budget. (Source: my front-of-napkin math and PBO's GDP projections.) (Per the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Canada's military spending will hit 1.58 per cent of GDP by 2029-30. )pbo-dpb.ca/en/publication…

Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich is in court right now. Her lawyer Diane Magas notes she has filed a notice of abandonment of her abuse of process motion against Crown Moiz Karimjee. There are several other procedural issues before the court, including a motion to sever charges against her from those against co-accused Chris Barber.

Body cam video of complainant against Supreme Court judge Russell Brown. Brown calls his claims “demonstrably false.” But amazing how much more transparent the US justice system is, compared to Canada’s. The police sent us this video within hours of our request. For better/worse, this is a cultural difference every Canadian journalist knows: Americans will speak to you at length, their media people help journalists not hinder them, and the public’s right to know trumps personal privacy, which in Canada often impedes oversight.

Sophie Inc.: The prime minister’s wife, Sophie Grégoire, last year incorporated a communications company called Under Your Light Communications. 1/ It appears she set this up for the book she is writing on mental health and the revenues it reported, per her husband’s ethics declaration, are an advance on royalties. 2/ narcity.com/sophie-gregoir…

Now that he's moved into Stornoway, CPC leader Pierre Poilievre lists his home in South Ottawa as a "rental property." Some context: ctvnews.ca/politics/poili…

Apparently, this needs to be said: POEC Commissioner Paul Rouleau is *not* the brother-in-law of Pierre Trudeau's late older sister, Suzette. She was married to a Pierre Rouleau, a Montreal dentist. /1 Also, Paul S. Rouleau is *not* the son of a Paul C. Rouleau, a late Federal Court judge. POEC Paul's father was an Ottawa doctor who died when he, Paul, was 19. /2

Set to begin at 10 am, eviction hearing for the United People or Canada (TUPOC), re St. Brigid’s arts centre. I will relay details from the courtroom, as best I can. So far in the courtroom: Applicant Patrick McDonald (owner of the building) and his counsel, Gordon Douglas. No sign yet of TUPOC respondents or their lawyer, Saron Gebresellassi.

Sure. I’ve done this before but will do again, because there is a lot of misinformation circulating about press conferences on Parliament Hill.

https://twitter.com/shazzmojo/status/1570095438014865408

Notice of a Hill press conference typically comes by email through the Parliamentary Press Gallery. Off-Hill events involving ministers follow a similar pattern. So journalists show up at the appointed time and place. 2/

Hearing in tenancy issue involving The United People of Canada (TUPOC) over St Brigid Arts Centre set to begin at 10 am. I’ll tweet details as best I can. Lawyers representing the owners of the building will be asking the court to order the registrar to issue a writ of possession that they would take to the sheriff.

A Superior Court hearing over an alleged breach of the publication ban in the Tamara Lich case will begin shortly: Malcolm Savage for the Crown; Mohamed El Rashidy is opposing counsel. Justice Andrew Goodman presides. (Still waiting for the judge to connect on the Zoom call.)

An alleged violation of the publication ban on the Tamara Lich bail review — identifying her surety — will be spoken to in Superior Court tomorrow at 2 pm. It will likely be quick. Malcolm Savage on for the Crown. The name of party accused of violating the ban has not been made public by the Crown yet. But… yeah.

Meanwhile, in submissions, Karimjee is arguing that Lich cannot be trusted to abide by the bail conditions, says this is still a reverse onus situation where, having been charged with a breach, she must show why she can be trusted. Karimjee back to his Drainville Challenge, saying not one case that found blockading a street much less an entire city as a form of constitutionally protected expression.

Justice Andrew Goodman will give a decision at 11 am on whether the justice of the peace made errors of law in denying Tamara Lich bail earlier this month. If the judge finds there were errors of law, Lich will have a new bail hearing this afternoon and will be cross-examined by the Crown.

Ottawa protest organizer Tamara Lich’s bail hearing begins. Lich is here in person, in the prisoner box, wearing a black and white print blouse and glasses. She helpfully clarifies her name is pronounced “LEE-ch” not “LIT-ch.” Limited publication ban is still in place. Justice Andrew Goodman questioning the lawyers about whether this will be a bail hearing de novo — that is, a new hearing — or whether this is simply a review of the J-P’s decision denying her bail after the alleged breach of conditions.

Expect reaction today to Freedom Convoy live-streamer from Ottawa who last night streamed himself with a US flag draped on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The stream was screen-capped by an American supporter. Also: protest organizer Tamara Lich appears in Superior Court this morning for a bail review hearing — her fifth time before a justice seeking bail. She was denied bail last month after being charged with a breach of conditions.

Justice of the Peace Paul Harris on the bench. Says he’s pleased to have Lich back in the court as opposed to video link. He gives stern warning about decorum to the gallery, which is full of Lich supporters and journalists. Harris says he will deal with two issues today: the s. 524 application by Crown to revoke bail; and the issue of bail on the new charge of breach of recognizance.

At 1:30 pm, Justice of the Peace Paul Harris is expected to give his decision on bail for Ottawa protest organizer Tamara Lich. A group of Lich supporters are waiting outside the courtroom. The court gallery is small so Lich supporters are now lining up, inside the courtroom vestibule, so they can get a seat.

After talking to a few court railbirds, one possible outcome of this is that the J-P sets revised bail conditions for Lich -- likely with more clarity on non-communication rules -- and is released to return to Alberta on her own dime. 1/

https://twitter.com/glen_mcgregor/status/1544423433701842945

The charge on breach of recognizance charge wouldn't make it to court until after the original charges are heard, which will be many months away, and could be included in a potential plea agreement, if Lich decides to go that way. 2/

Tamara Lich bail hearing resumes. Defence calls her surety, whose identity is covered by a publication ban. (Sketch of Lich for @CTVNews by @GregBanning) The surety has acted since Lich was granted bail in March, says will continue if she is released again, promises to ensure the conditions are followed and will again offer a $20,000 bond.

This morning at Tamara Lich bail hearing, we learned: the Crown is going after the $20,000 bond up by her surety; OPS homicide detective Chris Benson doesn't know the JCCF lawyers who act for her in civil case, or if they were at the Freedom Award gala 1/ Benson made the decision to charge Lich with the breach (and he's salty about people saying it was the RCMP or PMJT); The application for a Canada-wide warrant was approved by the Crown, endorsed by Justice of the Peace St-Jean. 2/

Tamara Lich bail hearing about to begin. Crown Moiz Karimjee and defence counsel Lawrence Greenspon both in the courtroom. Justice of the Peace Paul Harris presides. The accused, Tamara Lich, will be appearing by video link from the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.