Some 'freedom convoy' donors are using aliases of well-known Canadians
Despite bearing the names of some of Canada's most recognizable figures, some donations made out to a convoy on its way to Ottawa to protest vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions are not as they appear.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, are among individuals whose names have been used as aliases by donors contributing to the "freedom convoy" that plans to stage a protest on Parliament Hill this weekend.
Although some media reported that donations were at times made using the names of the Trudeaus, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed to CTVNews.ca that neither one has made a donation to the GoFundMe page.
In another case, Dr. David Fisman, a professor of epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, took to Twitter after a $15,100 donation was apparently made in his name.
That donation isn't currently on the page's list of top donors, and Fisman also confirmed he did not contribute.
"Indeed, I am not a lawyer but I think 'personation' is illegal in Canada," he told CTVNews.ca in an email.
CTVNews.ca asked GoFundMe for a comment on the use of aliases when making donations but did not receive a response before publication.
The company's terms of service, as of Dec. 31, 2021, state that the list of donors is provided "as is," with GoFundMe making "no representations, warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or timelines of any donor list or any information contained therein."
The convoy, which has traversed the country on its way to Parliament Hill, has called for an end to vaccine mandates and public health restrictions brought about in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The protest began in part over a federal government mandate requiring cross-border Canadian truckers to quarantine if unvaccinated when returning to Canada. The United States also has launched a similar mandate.
Supporters have greeted the convoy along its way to Ottawa. Prime Minister Trudeau has previously noted that nearly 90 per cent of Canadian truckers are vaccinated, while decrying the "unacceptable views" of the "small fringe minority" heading to Ottawa.
A GoFundMe page, started in an effort to help truckers with the cost of the journey, namely for fuel as and any food or shelter that’s required, has raised well over $7 million to date from tens of thousands of donors.
This week, GoFundMe said it would release an initial $1 million in fundraising money to the organizers.
In a statement to CTVNews.ca, a company spokesperson said they are following a standard verification process to ensure the funds are distributed as stated by the organizer.
"Our goal is to protect the generosity of donors and ensure that all donations go to those intended," the spokesperson said.
"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 organizers have since written on their fundraising page that despite stories saying the funds had been "frozen," the temporary hold was due to international banking regulations.
A look at the page's rolling list of top 100 donors showed that 37 made donations anonymously as of noon EST on Friday.
The largest donation to date, worth $25,022, also came from an anonymous donor.
Altogether, the 100 top donations, as of midday Friday, totalled more than $456,000. Of that, more than $198,000 or about 43 per cent were anonymous.
Anonymous donations are not a new feature on GoFundMe nor are they uncommon on that platform. Most of the top donors have names attached, including some purporting to be businesses.
Among those listed as top donors is Jodhveer Singh Dhaliwal, the brother-in-law of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who donated $13,000 donation to the convoy.
An NDP source speaking on background to CTV News said there was a misunderstanding around what the donation would be for and a process began to return the donation.
The amount was still visible on the top donations list as of noon Friday.
"I unequivocally disagree with him about this donation and told him so," Singh said in a statement about the donation.
"I am against this convoy and against the dangerous and divisive rhetoric we're seeing coming from it. I understand people are frustrated that we're still in this pandemic two years later. The best way to get out of this pandemic, and to keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe, is to get vaccinated and to listen to public health experts."
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Most of the city is evacuating': Gridlock on Alberta highway after evacuation order in Fort McMurray
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Sask. police seize 1.5M pieces of evidence, lay 60 more charges in child exploitation case
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
'Inappropriate' behaviour shuts down Dublin to New York City portal
Less than a week after two public sculptures featuring a livestream between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City debuted, 'inappropriate behaviour' in real-time interactions between people in the two cities has prompted a temporary shutdown.
Oilers starting Calvin Pickard in goal for Game 4 vs. Canucks
The Edmonton Oilers will start Calvin Pickard in net Tuesday for Game 4 of their playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks.
Biden administration moving ahead on US$1 billion arms package for Israel, AP sources say
The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than US$1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday.
King Charles III unveils his first official portrait since his coronation
King Charles III has unveiled the first portrait of the monarch completed since he assumed the throne, a vivid image that depicts him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a background of similar hues.
Full List Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Alberta announces the 4 health agencies that will replace AHS later this year
The province has released more information on its plan to break up Alberta Health Services and replace it with four sector-based health agencies.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Local Spotlight
'We're on standby': Team ready to help entangled right whale in Gulf of St. Lawrence
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Thieves caught on camera stealing pet chicken from North Vancouver backyard
A $200 reward is being offered by a North Vancouver family for the safe return of their beloved chicken, Snowflake.
Adopted daughter in the Netherlands reunited with sister in Montreal and mother in Colombia, 40 years later
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
'Reimagining Mother's Day': Toronto woman creates Motherless Day event after losing mom
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.
Chris Hadfield inspires youth musical in Sudbury
YES Theatre Young Company opened its acclaimed kids’ show, One Small Step, at Sudbury Theatre Centre on Saturday.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.