Fundraising website GoFundMe has been called to testify at the House of Commons Public Safety and National Security Committee about what safeguards it has in place when it comes to releasing the nearly $10.1M of funds raised for the trucker convoy.
MPs on the committee voted unanimously on Thursday afternoon to invite representatives to appear “as soon as possible.”
What the elected officials want to hear from the company includes how it plans to ensure that the funds are “not being used to promote extremism, white supremacy, anti-Semitism and other forms of hate, which have been expressed among prominent organizers for the truck convoy currently in Ottawa.”
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This includes accounting on the $1 million dollars that has already been released with the intention of being spent to cover fuel, food, and lodging costs for the truckers taking part in what’s become a multi-day demonstration in downtown Ottawa. The organizers have indicated that any leftover funds would go to “a credible Veterans organization which will be chosen by the donors.”
On Wednesday, GoFundMe suspended the “Freedom Convoy” fundraiser halting the ability for any further donations to be made while a compliance review takes place. The fundraising site has been working with organizers for several days to provide a clear plan for how the nearly record-setting amount of funds will be allocated.
“This fundraiser is currently paused and under review to ensure it complies with our terms of service and applicable laws and regulations,” said a pinned post from GoFundMe at the top of the fundraiser on Wednesday night. “Our team is working 24/7 axjmtzywnd doing all we can to protect both organizers and donors. Thank you for your patience.”
NDP MP and public safety critic Alistair MacGregor proposed the study, telling the committee that he wants to ensure that the company prevents the use of anonymity to funnel money to extremist groups.
Should representatives appear, they are set to be asked what measures are in place to prevent foreign funds from being used to support these views, after Ottawa police suggested Wednesday that there are American elements involved in funding the demonstration. A number of the donations made have come in anonymously.
The committee is also inviting the national financial intelligence agency Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) to testify.
CTVNews.ca has reached out to GoFundMe for comment. In previous comments to CTV News, a company spokesperson said they are following a standard verification process to ensure the funds are distributed as stated by the organizer.
"As part of our verification process, we require full transparency from the organizer about the flow of funds to ensure there’s a clear plan and donors are informed on how the funds will be spent,” the spokesperson said.
RELATED IMAGESview larger image
Trucks are blocked by police barricades as a rally against COVID-19 restrictions, which began as a cross-country convoy protesting a federal vaccine mandate for truckers continues in Ottawa on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle
