Funds for ‘Freedom Convoy’ frozen, Feds speak to trucking challenges

While not addressing the protest convoy directly, three federal ministers and the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) say “unprecedented challenges” face the trucking industry but maintaining vaccines and public health measures are the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The statement comes as a fleet of protesters taking part in what has been branded the ‘Freedom Convoy,’ barrels down the Trans-Canada Highway, destined for Ottawa, to rally against vaccine mandates.

It’s spurred on by the fact that proof of vaccination is required to cross the U.S. – Canada border.

“The Government of Canada and the Canadian Trucking Alliance both agree that vaccination, used in combination with preventative public health measures, is the most effective tool to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for Canadians, and to protect public health,” the statement from Minister’s Omar Alghabra, Seamus O’Regan, Carla Qualtrough, and CTA President Stephen Laskowski.

“As the pandemic continues, it remains critical that essential goods reach Canadians as quickly as possible.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, nearly $5 million had been raised through GoFundMe in support of the convoy.

However, several media reports said the funds were frozen by the online fundraising website, over concerns about the transparent flow of funds.

“In this case, we are in touch with the organizer to verify that information," Rachel Hollis, a spokeswoman for the crowdfunding platform, said in an email to The Canadian Press.

In essence that means while donations can still be made, the money cannot be dispersed until the organizers can show how that would be done.

Tamara Lich, who is also secretary of the Western separatist Maverick Party, launched the campaign on Jan. 14. It states the money will go toward fuel as well as food and lodgings for truckers taking part in the protest.

On the convoy’s Facebook page, a post said there is a strict procedure in place for truckers to get reimbursed, and the remaining funds will be donated to a veteran’s association in Canada. It said the group is not anti-vaccination, but rather anti-government mandates, and most of them are vaccinated.

"Our current government is implementing rules and mandates that are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries, and livelihoods," the convoy's GoFundMe page states.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance, which has condemned the convoy protest, says more than 85 per cent of the 120,000 Canadian truck drivers who regularly traverse the border are vaccinated, but that up to 16,000 may be sidelined due to the new restriction, exacerbating supply chain problems.

With files from The Canadian Press