'It's intimidation': Judge faces threats after Freedom Convoy hearings

One of the judges who presided over the court hearings of Freedom Convoy organizers is speaking out after receivingthreats considered serious enough to require police intervention, according to information obtained by Radio-Canada and CBC.

The judge in question confirmedthat supporters of the convoyfrom Canada and the United Statessent several offensive messages, but the message that prompted police to react threatened theirphysical safety, the judgesaid.

It's intimidation. It's trying to influence a court decision, and that's serious.- Judge who is not beingidentified due to safety concerns

CBC has agreed to withhold the judge's identity to protect theirsafety.

"I thought, should I tell my children not to come home for a while?" the judgesaid.

"I changed my alarm system. I was advised not to take the same route every day," the judge added. "You feel vulnerable in your house, in your own home."

The judge believes most Canadians respect the justice system, but saida vocal minority is seeking to undermine it.

"It's intimidation. It's trying to influence a court decision, and that's serious," the judge said.

Supreme Court of Canada Chief JusticeRichard Wagnerexpressed similar concerns in a recent speech in Montreal.

"The pandemic has forced many people to liveonline during lockdowns. And it is at times like these that lies and conspiracies spread like wildfire,"Wagner saidin Frenchon June 9.

"As we have seen around the world, disinformation poses a real threat to democratic institutions."

The demonstrations that took place in Ottawa this winter stemmedin part fromthis disinformation, Wagner said. Heencouraged peopleto "inform, instruct and educate" their fellow citizens.

Ministry silent on further threats

Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General would not say if any other judges havereceived threats from Freedom Convoy supporters.

"It would be inappropriate for the ministry to comment on a potential or ongoing police investigation,"wrote ministry spokespersonBrian Grayin an email to Radio-Canada.

He wrote thatthe ministry "takes court security and the safety of all those in our courthouses ... very seriously," and that local police or Ontario Provincial Policeprovidesecurity"to ensure the highest level of protection."

The Ontario Court of Justice and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice both declined to comment, saying it would beinappropriate to do so.

CBC News reached out to a number of key figures of the weeks-long demonstration in Ottawa, but requests for commentwere either declined or went unanswered.

No charges have been laid in this matter. It's not known whether the investigation is ongoing at this time, andpolice would not comment.