Ontario official fired after donating to convoy protests

The employee alleges her termination was used for Ford's 'personal political gain'

BY Dexter Tilo 12 May 2022

A former employee of the Ontario government was fired after she was discovered to be a donor of the Freedom Convoy protest. The ex-employee worked in communications for Ontario's solicitor general, who donated $100 to the protest on February 5, according to a report from the National Post.

The discovery came after the crowdfunding site that supported the protest, GiveSendGo, was hit by a hacking attack that leaked all the donors' names and other information. It revealed that a total of 92,844 donations that totalled more than $8.4 million, such as the names, amount given, Internet Protocol addresses of the donor, and how the payments were made.

Among the individuals whose information leaked was the former government official, who was terminated following the discovery. The employee filed a lawsuit Premier Doug Ford, his chief of staff, the Ontario government, Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, and two journalists following the incident.

In her claim, she said that her donation was made when there was no government regulation against the protest.

She also accused the government of wrongfully terminating her, adding that they "wanted to fire her" in an attempt to be seen as "acting 'quickly.'" She said that her termination was used for Ford's "personal political gain" so he can show his public opposition to the convoy.

The official reportedly received 16 weeks of severance pay, after a journalist confirmed with Ford's office if she was still reporting for the company.

The Freedom Convoy protests were a series of demonstrations and blockades in Canada against COVID-19 vaccines and restrictions.