No, we did not.
Evidence of meeting #20 for Declaration of Emergency in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was funds.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #20 for Declaration of Emergency in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was funds.
A video is available from Parliament.
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Were you ever contacted by any federal government official to discontinue your support for the “freedom convoy”?
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
I know this might be a question you will get from other members of this committee, so I thought I would deal with it right from the get-go.
I understand there were two sources of crowdfunding affiliated with your company. One was the “adopt a trucker” crowdfunding, and the other was the “freedom convoy 2022” donation.
Is that accurate?
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Of the “adopt a trucker” crowdfunding, am I correct with these numbers? According to your company, a total of just under $600,000 U.S. was raised.
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
The majority of that, to the tune of 55%, came from our host country, Canada.
Is that correct?
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
That's correct.
Roughly 41% originated from the United States.
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Okay.
From other countries, it was just under $20,000.
Would that be accurate?
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Of the other country contributions, do you have a number with respect to the Russian Federation?
8:50 p.m.
Co-Founder, GiveSendGo
I do not believe we noticed any donations coming from Russia. In looking at it, I didn't notice any. I can go back and, if there are, provide that for you. However, I don't believe there are any.
8:50 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Were you aware that politicians in our country, as well as our national, taxpayer-funded media, the CBC, broadcast that there were Russian influences with respect to this convoy and money coming from that country? Were you aware of that?
8:50 p.m.
Co-Founder, GiveSendGo
I believe I became aware of that later, after the fact. That is something I recall, but I don't believe I knew it in that moment.
8:50 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Okay.
With respect to the “freedom convoy” donations, I understand there were a total of just over 113,000 donors.
8:50 p.m.
Conservative
8:50 p.m.
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant, ON
Okay.
I'm out of time. I'm sure one of my colleagues will pick up the narrative, on that point.
Thank you.
December 1st, 2022 / 8:50 p.m.
The Joint Chair Hon. Gwen Boniface
Thank you, Mr. Brock.
We're moving to Mr. Virani.
8:50 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Wells, for rejoining us.
I'm going to pick up where you indicated, to Mr. Brock, that you were aware GoFundMe stopped giving the “freedom convoy” protesters in Canada money, and you stepped into the breach.
Is that correct?