CALGARY – Alberta’s highest court has upheld the conviction of a Calgary pastor for his role in protests against COVID-19 public health measures that blocked the province’s main Canada-U.S. border crossing Alberta for over two weeks.

Artur Pawlowski was convicted last year of mischief and breaching a release order for his role in the blockade of the Coutts, Alberta, border crossing in early 2022.

He was sentenced to 60 days in jail, but given equal credit for time he had already served.

Crown prosecutors said during Pawlowski’s trial that his impassioned speech to truckers at Smugglers Saloon in February 2022 fanned the flames of unrest and convinced them to stay at the border crossing for another two weeks.

“I am satisfied that Mr. Pawlowski intended to incite the public to continue the blockade, and to incite the demonstrators to commit misdeeds,” Judge Gordon Krinke said in handing down his verdict.

Krinke said the speech to supporters came at a time when many were considering leaving the border and protesting elsewhere, when Pawlowski urged “sacrifice and heroism in support of a just cause.”

“Some protesters were considering leaving. He told protesters that the whole world was watching. He told protesters not to break the line.

The judge noted that Pawlowski was not involved in planning the so-called “Freedom Convoy” and did not play a major role in its appearance at the border blockade, but had no remorse for the harm he had caused.

Pawlowski appealed his conviction for mischief, arguing that his speech did not constitute incitement or interference, that he did not participate in the blockade to commit mischief, and that he was exercising his right to freedom of expression .

The Alberta Court of Appeal rejected his arguments.