Thread by @TheAndrewVidler

THREAD
I noticed a few day ago that businesses donating to the #FreedomConvoy #GoFundMe were also listed as CEWS recipients.
Now I'm not affiliated with anyone or paid to do this but I did go to journalism school and I can be quite the curious cat, so I thought I'd ask a few 1/

questions to see if I could get a response. Only one answered, and from my old hometown! I started with, yes, a sarcastic inquiry, but I'll be honest I was tired after a long day and had ZERO expectation they would engage. They claim none, but not exactly nicely, which 2/

hey, maybe the funds came from separate accounts. I can't prove that one way or another. But as we have seen, the money isn't exactly 'fueling the cause or whatever'. Important to note they did not ask 'what donation?'. Asked more questions and was met with this. 3/

Fortunately, CEWS is public info so I did confirm that they received that funds that moments ago they confirmed they did not use to fund their donation.
Funny that!
So sure, screenshot, photo and even a video of my hand in front.....just so it was definitely not a fake photo 4/

That leads to immediate denial of any donation, so we do it it again. Screenshot, photo, video.
Now sidenote: maybe the social media person didn't know, but I also don't speak for an employer before knowing EXACTLY what to say.
Moving on.
Is there another? 5/

So I ask if they are aware and addressed the mixed messaging (as well as verifying the corp. # as based in @cityofbarrie where this business operates) and that's where it got fun.
In their last response we have the false claim of 'it wasn't' me, confirmation of 'support' 6/

For the convoy, classic 'I didn't say that', a questioning of the info (fair but I had provided that, and it's public). This is followed by the original 'why does it matter' and the above 'everyone is allowed to support or donate what they choose'.
All in one go. 7/

Quick recap:
✅None of the funds went to the donation and if it did why does it matter
✅Asking for the confirmation of public info
✅We did not donate
✅There is another incorporated company with the exact same name
✅I support the convoy and can donate to who I choose
8/

Now if I was a business owner who taxpayer money for the express purpose of paying my employees, and was then seen among the top donors to, let's call it some 'highly questionable people', I'd expect some raised eyebrows. I started this journey with a 9/

tweet about another company in the same situation (and yes, April) and it feels rather nice to be able to approach the end of the same, but way more juicy.
I'll be honest I'm not 100% sure what do do with the information now that I have it but if anyone 10/

in my newly medium sized audience has any connections or ideas please let me know. And please if you've enjoyed any of my #FluTruxKlan rambling this weekend give this a share, maybe some good can be done with it. 11/11
#FluTrucksClan #FreedumbConvoy #FreedomConvoy

@cbcmarketplace this is Ontario....maybe you can do something with this?