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Trucker convoy: Banks open supporters’ accounts

According to Isabelle Jacques, assistant undersecretary at the Treasury Department, financial institutions have begun to make public the accounts of individuals who support the Freedom Convoy’s effort.

Jacques told the House finance committee on Tuesday that banks began lifting the suspension “as of yesterday” and had stopped the process going forward.

By invoking the Emergencies Act, the federal government has given financial institutions the power to freeze or suspend the accounts of an individual or business involved in the blockade without requires a court order.

In recent days, concern has grown that the financial measures outlined in the Act are a violation of government power and potentially a violation of Charter rights.

Opposition MPs have questioned whether small cause donors will be fined in the same way that major organizers and financial contributors will be fined.

Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair told CTV’s Question Period on Sunday that “no one is interested” in freezing the accounts of small contributors and that the measures are designed to “centralize”. and “targeted.”

However, Jacques told the committee on Tuesday that while it was “unlikely,” it was “probably” anyone who contributed after February 15 could be affected.

“… It can happen although it is very unlikely under the circumstances. And I say this because the financial institution mainly relies on the information provided by the RCMP, moreover on their own internal verification and process, and so they approached it from a method based on risk,” she said.

“While it’s not impossible that someone who gave $20 gets caught and their bank account frozen, I see that scenario… you know, I think it’s going to happen in some circumstances. rare.”

An RCMP statement released Monday noted that the list provided to the banks included individuals “influenced in the Ottawa illegal protests, and the owners and/or vehicle drivers do not want to leave the area.”

It goes on to say, “At no time do we provide a sponsor list for financial institutions.”

The Emergencies Act was first introduced on February 14 in an effort to end protests and convoy blockades in Ottawa and elsewhere around the country.

After the weekend’s debate, the House of Commons voted 185-151 on Monday in favor of the Act with the NDP and Green MP Elizabeth May siding with the Liberals.

Unless MPs trigger another vote and choose to revoke it, it expires in 30 days.

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