The Canadian government has warned that more financial accounts and cryptocurrency wallets will be frozen as law enforcement attempts to end the Freedom Convoy trucker protest. Despite police arresting two protest organizers, truckers are holding their ground. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated, “It’s high time that these illegal and dangerous activities stop.”
More Accounts to Be Frozen as Trudeau Vows to End Protest
The Canadian government confirmed that a number of financial accounts and cryptocurrency wallets have been frozen under the Emergencies Act invoked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This confirmation came after several banks and crypto exchanges received a letter from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Thursday: “The names of both individuals and entities as well as crypto wallets have been shared by the RCMP with financial institutions, and accounts have been frozen and more accounts will be frozen.” She added that crowdfunding platforms and payment service providers have started their registration process with FINTRAC, Canada’s financial intelligence unit.
When asked whether individuals who donated to fundraising campaigns—including the “Givesendgo” and “GoFundMe” campaigns—would be targeted or considered “designated persons” under the Emergencies Act, Freeland responded: “In terms of the specifics on whose accounts are being frozen, you now have the regulations. The financial service providers have those regulations as well, and they, working with law enforcement, will be making the operational decisions.” She also tweeted: “We are making progress. Do not doubt our determination to act, to defend our economy, to defend our democratic institutions, and to restore peace, order, and good government.”
Additionally, Ontario Superior Court Justice Calum MacLeod issued a sweeping order Thursday freezing all crypto assets and bank accounts of Freedom Convoy leaders. He ordered any banks, financial institutions, money service businesses, fundraising platforms, cryptocurrency exchanges, and custodians of any cryptocurrency wallets to halt transactions related to the organizers’ accounts and crypto wallets.
Truckers Standing Their Ground
Despite the crackdown, hundreds of truckers clogging Ottawa stood their ground and defiantly blasted their horns Thursday, even as police arrested two protest organizers, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber. One of the Freedom Convoy organizers, Pat King, was quoted as saying: “I’m prepared to sit on my a** and watch them hit me with pepper spray.” He added, “There’s no tow trucks in Canada that will touch them,” referring to the bumper-to-bumper parked trucks.
Police have also sealed off much of the downtown area to outsiders to prevent them from helping the protesters. Prime Minister Trudeau declared in Parliament: “It’s high time that these illegal and dangerous activities stop. They are a threat to our economy and our relationship with trading partners … They are a threat to public safety.”