Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Again, this has been a very helpful discussion, because like many MPs around the country, we were flooded by fear. Hopefully, we can return to our constituency offices, and respond to those calls, and say, “If you have donated before February 15, your account won't be frozen. Moreover, for financial institutions to freeze your account, they need the information that you participated in a blockade, or that you used that money for such a reason.”
Again, we all have the statement, and I can link it to my Conservative colleague, where the RCMP said that the list that was provided to financial institutions included identities of individuals who were influencers in the illegal protest in Ottawa, owners or drivers of vehicles, who did not want to leave the area impacted by the protest. At no time did the RCMP provide a list of donors to financial institutions. I think we have a responsibility to reassure the population in this area.
One of my main concerns is about the source of the funds, and those crowdfunding platforms. I'm extremely worried, when I hear, because of the leak, that the money, millions of dollars, and half of the donations came from the United States, other countries, and anonymous sources.
I know that right now we have a gap in finding the ultimate sources, the beneficial owners of accounts here in Canada. We don't have a registry, and it won't be ready before 2025. I welcomed the amendment in last year's budget, but I'm extremely concerned.
Ms. Jacques, this is a question for you. If we do have the information, can we trace back the money to the owner of these accounts in the U.S.?