Canadian Court Rules Crypto Donation Freeze During Protests as Illegal

Canadian Judge Declares Government’s Freeze on Trucker Protest Assets, Including Crypto, Unconstitutional
In a groundbreaking ruling, a Canadian federal judge has deemed the government’s attempt to freeze assets, including cryptocurrencies, during the 2022 trucker protests as unconstitutional. Justice Richard Mosley of the Federal Court of Canada has stated that there was no national emergency to justify the use of the Emergencies Act. He emphasized that extreme measures should only be employed as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted.
The Emergencies Act was invoked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government to freeze funds, including cryptocurrencies, linked to the trucker protests. This freeze specifically targeted assets donated to truckers who were protesting against COVID-19 restrictions, particularly vaccine mandates for those crossing the Canada-United States border.
The protesters, known as the Freedom Convoy, strategically used trucks to block streets in Ottawa, symbolizing their resistance against vaccine mandates for truck drivers. Despite the government’s claim that the protests constituted an illegal occupation, the recent court ruling challenges the necessity of invoking the Emergencies Act, arguing that it should only be used as a last resort.
Various organizations, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and the Canadian Constitution Foundation, voiced their disapproval of the government’s use of emergency powers. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced the government’s intention to appeal the decision, escalating the legal battle surrounding this controversial move.
The trucker protests of 2022 heavily relied on cryptocurrency for financial support. While the exact amount is unknown, it is estimated that the protesters received millions of dollars through various platforms. During the protests, GoFundMe, a prominent fundraising platform, froze over $9 million in donations, prompting organizers to switch to Tallycoin, a crowdfunding platform built on the Bitcoin blockchain. The HonkHonk Hodl group, in particular, raised over 22 Bitcoins, valued at approximately $1 million.
The court’s decision not only rejects the government’s use of emergency powers but also sheds light on the role of cryptocurrencies in prominent social movements.