RCMP pokes holes in Conservative MPs’ claims over trucker convoy donation

There are growing questions over claims made by two Conservative MPs who say the financial accounts of some of their constituents have been frozen for making donations to the trucker convoy.

Chilliwack-Hope MP Mark Strahl wrote on social media Sunday about a person named Briane who he says only made a small donation to an online fundraiser but has now been targeted under the Emergencies Act.

“Briane is a single mom from Chilliwack working a minimum wage job. She gave $50 to the convoy when it was 100% legal. She hasn’t participated in any other way. Her bank account has now been frozen. This is who Justin Trudeau is actually targeting with his Emergencies Act orders,” Strahl said on Twitter.

Marilyn Gladu, the MP for Sarnia-Lambton, responded with a tweet of her own making a similar claim.

I have lady in my riding had her bank account frozen for buying a $20 Freedom Convoy Tshirt https://t.co/7AuRXbThzM

— Marilyn Gladu (@MarilynGladuSL) February 21, 2022

However, in a news release Monday, the RCMP said only those who have been actively participating in the protests have had their financial accounts impacted.

“Under the Emergency Economic Measures Order (Emergencies Act), the list that was provided to financial institutions included identities of individuals who were influencers in the illegal protest in Ottawa, and owners and/or drivers of vehicles who did not want to leave the area impacted by the protest,” it wrote Monday.

Stating, “At no time, did we provide a list of donors to Financial Institutions.”

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Following his tweet, several people pointed out that a “Briane” is not listed on the leaked document which alleges to show the names of those who donated to a now frozen online fundraiser.

When asked to provide evidence that she exists, Strahl said he was protecting her identity so that she is not harassed online.

CityNews has reached out to Strahl for comment but has not received a response.

.@rcmpgrcpolice say this morning it never gave Financial Institutions list of donors. "The list … included identities of individuals who were influencers in the illegal protest in Ottawa, and owners and/or drivers of vehicles who did not want to leave the area." @CityNewsVAN https://t.co/16wnmMo8TY

— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) February 21, 2022

As of Monday, the RCMP says, “this effort has culminated in the freezing of 219 financial products; the disclosure of 57 entities; the addresses of 253 Bitcoin shared with virtual currency exchangers; and, the proactive freezing of the account of a payment processor for a value of $3.8M by a financial institution.”

Both the prime minister and the finance minister also questioned the validity of the claims by these MPs.

“The measures we have put in place are designed and focused on ensuring that people in the current illegal occupations leave, that has been the intent and the focus right now. If there are specific cases that Conservative ministers can bring forward to highlight where that is not the case we will happily look at them and resolve them,” Justin Trudeau said.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland cautioned against spreading misinformation.

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“At a time which is very fraught, it’s important for all of us to be very, very careful to get our facts exactly right in each circumstance and I would urge all of us to take that care in every situation,” Freeland said. Adding, “these measures applied only as of the 15th of February, that is when financial support of these illegal blockades and occupations began to be sanctioned,” she said.

“For anyone who is concerned that their accounts may have been frozen because of their participation in these illegal blockades and occupation, the way to get your account unfrozen is to stop being part of the blockade and occupation,” she said.