In 2022, some of those responsible for the convoy protest/insurrection in Ottawa set up a Federal corporation called Freedom 2022 Human Rights and Freedoms last year. We discussed this here and here. I don’t offer branding advice, but it is a little weird that they have the word “freedom” twice in their name. I guess they must be all about freedom then!
The group is still fundraising through a US crowdfunding platform which had security problems last year that resulted in the complete list of donors being disclosed to the public, and some of those donors probably received significant scrutiny. That they are still fundraising shows how loose our rules are when it comes to the far-right in Canada. I guess the only bright side is that some people will donate, get no tax benefit, and all of the money will probably end up going to pay a future judgment from a lawsuit launched by citizens of Ottawa who suffered through the occupation.
Also, it appears that there have been some changes to the board of directors. Here is the filing for the Freedom 2022 Human Rights and Freedoms Directors.
It appears that the following people left:
Chad Eros 2022-08-26
Chris Garrah 2022-08-26
Benjamin Dichter 2022-02-27
The current board is as follows (I have bolded the additions).
Joseph Mizu 2022-07-01
Ryan Mihilewicz 2022-02-26
Miranda Gasinor 2022-02-03
Chris Barber 2022-02-03
Dale Enns 2022-02-26
Tamara Lich 2022-02-03
Sean Tiessen 2022-02-03
Lori Mizu 2022-07-01
Please note that this filing was done – Date de réception (AAAA-MM-JJ): 2023-01-11
All deletions and additions are supposed to be filed within 15 days of the changes. Obviously, that was not done here.
Here is some information from Corporations Canada:
Report changes regarding directors
The directors of your not-for-profit corporation have the power and the duty to manage the activities of the corporation. As a result, interested members of the public have a right to know who the current directors are and where they can be reached. You are required to report any changes regarding directors.
These changes include:
- the election or appointment of a new director;
- the resignation or removal of a director; and
- any change in the address of a current director.
Obligations What Reporting changes regarding directors When Within 15 days of the change or, in the case of a change to a director’s address, within 15 days of being notified of the change How File through the Online Filing Centre Fee Free Note
The number of directors must be the same as the fixed number or within the minimum/maximum number of directors that is set out in the articles of your not-for-profit corporation. If the number of directors differs from the fixed number or is not within the minimum/maximum number in the articles, you must first update your articles (see Keep Your Articles Up-to-Date).
Corporations Canada notes on its website, “Tell us when your board of directors changes. Stakeholders have a right to know who your current directors are and where to reach them.” Transparency and legal compliance do not appear to be the strong suit of the convoy group.