Truck convoy raises over $4M while protest draws support and criticism, as GoFundMe freezes access to funds
An online fundraiser meant to cover the costs of a cross-country protest against vaccine mandates for truckers has surpassed $4 million.
The GoFundMe organized by western separatist Maverick Party organizer Tamara Lich has exploded in recent days as the first trucks of the Freedom Convoy 2022 left the BC coast bound for Ottawa on January 29.
However, on Tuesday, GoFundMe announced it has frozen access to the money.
The convoy held rallies in Calgary and Medicine Hat Monday before rolling on to Regina.
The protest is primarily aimed at Canada's mandatory vaccination requirements for truck drivers which require the unvaccinated to quarantine for 14 days after returning to Canada from the US. The same rule applies in both Mexico and the United States.
"We have a supply chain crisis right now that's helping fuel inflation," Conservative leader Erin O'Toole said. He also voiced his support for vaccination as the best - but not the only - way out of the pandemic. "Prioritizing vaccines, prioritizing public health, but (also) reducing pink slips and getting goods on shelves."
Former Brooks mayor and current MP Martin Shields posted a video from in front of the parliament buildings today saying he looks forward to meeting with the truckers when they arrive in Ottawa.
The prime minister shot back today, accusing conservative politicians of stoking fears, saying vaccination is the only way out of the pandemic.
TRUCKING ALLIANCE CONDEMNS PROTEST
The Canadian Trucking Alliance representing carriers and suppliers condemned the protest saying it's ineffective at resisting policy adding the vast majority of truckers - all but 26,000 out of 160,000 - are vaccinated anyway.
The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada was more sympathetic to the convoy's top line concern.
"We are in favour of vaccines. What we are not in favour of is legislating people out of work," said council president Mike Millian.
TRANSPARENCY CONCERNS
But the organizations' robust fundraising also raised questions of transparency. A GoFundMe representative said in a statement Monday that they require transparency and a clear plan for how donation money will be spent.
The company is working with Medicine Hat-based Tamara Lich on verifying her distribution and management plans and are holding the money in the mean time.
An email address set up to transfer money to the convoy appears to direct deposit to an account in Lich's name. She did not respond to interview requests from CTV News.
The Maverick Party said they are in no way associated with the Freedom Convoy, but leader Jay Hill said they support her initiative in principle and have received assurances steps are being taken to safeguard the considerable fund.
"She has sought and gotten volunteers from the legal profession, from accountants that are going to ensure that all the money that is donated to their cause is properly accounted for. So I take Tamara's word," said Hill.
Hill added that he favours vaccination and has three shots himself, but his party believes in freedom of choice.
The truckers left British Columbia on the weekend on a cross-country journey to protest federal vaccination mandates faced by truckers crossing the border who otherwise face lengthy quarantine periods when they return to Canada.
HUNDREDS GATHER NEAR CALGARY TRUCK STOP
Earlier Monday, hundreds upon hundreds of people gathered near a southeast Calgary truck stop Monday morning to show their support for a convoy of truckers heading to Ottawa.
'Freedom Convoy 2022' opposes mandated vaccinations, mandated isolation for unvaccinated drivers who return to Canada and other restrictions imposed on the trucking industry in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rampant spread of the Omicron variant.
The convoy, which is travelling across Western Canada, rolled into Calgary late Sunday. An estimated crowd of more than 1,000 supporters lined the streets when the trucks began moving Monday.
The CTA also condemned the use of a convoy to oppose government policy, claiming displeasure should be addressed through Parliament Hill gatherings or discussions with local MPs, instead of protests held on public roadways, highways and bridges.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Gunman kills at least 19 children at Texas elementary school
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire Tuesday at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 19 children as he went from classroom to classroom, officials said, in the latest gruesome moment for a country scarred by a string of massacres. The attacker was killed by law enforcement.

Biden makes urgent call for new firearms restrictions after Texas school shooting
Lamenting a uniquely American tragedy, an anguished and angry U.S. President Joe Biden delivered an urgent call for new restrictions on firearms Tuesday night after a gunman shot and killed 19 children at a Texas elementary school.
Language law Bill 96 adopted, promising sweeping changes for Quebec
Bill 96, the provincial government's controversial legislation aimed at protecting the French language in Quebec, has been adopted in the National Assembly.
U.S. senator begs for gun compromise after Texas shooting
Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, who came to Congress representing Sandy Hook, begged his colleagues to finally pass legislation addressing the nation's gun violence problem as the latest school shooting unfolded Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas.
Society 'may not survive' Putin's war, says billionaire George Soros
Russia's invasion of Ukraine may have marked the start of "a third world war," and Russian President Vladimir Putin must be defeated "as soon as possible" if the world wants to preserve civilization, said billionaire and philanthropist George Soros.
Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard denies rape allegations at sex assault trial
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has emphatically denied raping a teenager and a young woman nearly six years ago, testifying Tuesday that both encounters were consensual and "passionate."
Many Ontario residents could be waiting several days for power after storm
Provincial provider Hydro One said Tuesday afternoon that more than 142,000 customers in parts of Ontario were still without power after a devastating weekend storm.
RCMP suspend flights at Victoria International Airport after suspicious package discovered
Travellers who have a flight planned at Victoria International Airport (YYJ) on Tuesday afternoon are being warned of travel disruptions due to police activity.
Canada sending more artillery to Ukraine, 'crucial' to fight against Russia: Anand
Canada is sending an additional 20,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine for the Ukrainian military to use in its ongoing defence against the Russians. This ammunition—155mm calibre, as well as fuses and charge bags—is being donated, but comes at a cost of $98 million, according to the federal government.