Canada’s parliament on Thursday (02.03.2022) passed a motion to investigate the origin of millions of dollars donated through the GoFundMe portal to the anti-vaccination movement and radical groups that have blocked downtown Ottawa for nearly a week.
Canadian lawmakers want GoFundMe officials to appear before a House of Commons committee and explain “as soon as possible” details about the donations, which totaled Canadian dollars 10 million (about $7.89 million) today.
Some delegates have expressed suspicions that the protest, which the city of Ottawa considers illegal, is being funded by contributions from the United States and other countries.
Among those who have offered their support for the anti-vaccination protests in Ottawa are former US President Donald Trump and businessman Elon Musk.
Protests began over the weekend, as thousands of people flocked to Ottawa to protest measures in Canada to contain the pandemic.
Since then, anti-vaccination groups and radical groups have blocked the streets around Canada’s parliament with trucks and other vehicles.
On Wednesday, Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly warned that the situation is beyond the police’s ability to act, saying military intervention may be necessary.
But today, both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defense Secretary Anita Anand stated that the Canadian government has no intention of using the country’s armed forces to end the protest.
gs (ef, ap)
