Winnipeg, MB (WNews) – Canadian’s Truckers rises over nearly $5 Million CAD on GoFundMe as convoy marches on to Ottawa to protest against the COVID19 mandates and health orders. GoFundMe has frozen access to more than $4.9 million until a plan can be made for withdrawal.
A GoFundMe spokesperson said money raised for a convoy of truckers heading to Ottawa to protest the mandates will be “safely held” until the organizer presents a withdrawal plan.
“We require that fundraisers be transparent about the flow of funds and have a clear plan for how those funds will be spent. 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.
“We are continuing to work directly with the organizer to gather information about how funds are being distributed,” the Tuesday, January 25’s statement said.
“This is part of our standard process to ensure the protection of all donors. Once a withdrawal plan is provided by the organizer, our team is on standby to safely and quickly deliver the funds.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, funds were raised from 61,100 donors, according to the GoFundMe page of the “Freedom Convoy.”
“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.
“We are a peaceful country that has helped protect nations across the globe from tyrannical governments who oppressed their people, and now it seems it is happening here.”
As of Jan. 15, the federal government required Canadian truckers to be fully vaccinated if they want to avoid a 14-day quarantine when they cross the border from the United States.
Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan has also announced that vaccination will become mandatory for workers in all federally regulated industries, though no timeline has been laid out.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance, which has denounced the convoy protest, says more than 85 percent 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.
The big-riggers are bound for a protest set for Saturday in Ottawa, where drivers from across the country and parts of the United States are planning to converge.
In an update, posted Tuesday, the group denounced Patrick King as part of the movement.
“Patrick King is not and never has been affiliated with our movement nor has he been a part of our great team of volunteers. Patrick King only represents himself and does not represent any of us who started Freedom Convoy 2022 / Freedom Convoy Canada.”
Convoy demand all COVID19 mandates and orders be dropped
The truckers are demanding that all COVID19 mandates and orders be dropped. The group believes the orders and mandates have destroyed small businesses and homes.
“We are a peaceful country that has helped protect nations across the globe from tyrannical governments who oppressed their people, and now it seems it is happening here. We are taking our fight to the doorsteps of our Federal Government and demanding that they cease all mandates against its people. Small businesses are being destroyed, homes are being destroyed, and people are being mistreated and denied fundamental necessities to survive. It’s our duty as Canadians to put an end to this mandates. It is imperative that this happens because if we don’t our country will no longer be the country we have come to love. We are doing this for our future Generations and to regain our lives back.” – Freedom Convoy 2022 GoFundMe’s Page
Last Saturday the U.S. barred unvaccinated Canadian drivers from entering the country, mirroring Canada’s border filter for American truckers.
In a Twitter thread Monday showing pictures of depleted grocery store shelves, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said he was “on the phone with U.S. governors” that morning who share his concerns. He said he is was working on a joint letter to U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to end the dual vaccine mandates.
The convoy was greeted in Saskatchewan on Monday night by supporters — Conservative members of Parliament Andrew Scheer and Warren Steinley were among them — and by more backers, Tuesday morning before it left for Manitoba.
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole warned last week that “we’re going to see prices skyrocket for groceries, for everything,” and that the Liberal government’s vaccine mandate would spark “division and pink slips.”
Hon. Candice Bergen, The Member of parliament for Portage-Lisgar made a statement supporting the truckers. Bergen mentioned that the Conservatives Party has been opposed to federally mandated vaccines since Trudeau introduced them last fall.
“Last week, Justin Trudeau dealt our already crumbling supply chain another blow. Over 26,000 truckers are now unable to transport goods across the Canada-U.S. border, which will only drive inflation higher than it’s been in over 30 years.
“Conservatives have been opposed to federally mandated vaccines since Trudeau introduced them, and we oppose the mandatory vaccine on Canadian truckers. These men and women who ship our goods and bring much-needed supplies into Canada are essential and have worked tirelessly over the pandemic to keep grocery shelves stocked and supplies moving.”
The movement has sparked international support from around the world. On the “Convoy to Ottawa 2022“‘s Facebook group which has over 583,600 members as a publication, the group has support from many countries including Poland, Croatia and the United States.
“Great support in the fight for freedom from a Serbian woman from Slovenia! Freedom has no price! Freedom 💪💪📢🎯🇨🇦🌎” – Gordana Tomasevic
“Support from Poland🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱. We are with you!!!” – Grzegorz Kłobuch
“Support from Croatia❤❤❤❤❤” – Vesna Jurjević-Duraković
Ontario Provincial Police warns of possible delays
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) issued a warning to drivers of traffic delays and to be prepared for slowdowns on all highways in the East Region.
The convoy is expected to arrive in Ottawa on Saturday morning at Parliament Hill.
WNews will be covering the protest live in Ottawa on Saturday and Sunday. Turn to our Facebook Page for the latest updates.
