Freedom Convoy protest economic impacts well below estimates: Report | Toronto Sun - Postmedia News:
July 15, 2022 - "So much for the financial impact of the Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa, Windsor and beyond. Federal records show that economic damage claim estimates by businesses were so inflated that cabinet couldn’t give away half the millions it budgeted to compensate them, reports Blacklock’s Reporter.
"One compensation fund saw as much as 82% of grant money go unclaimed, according to a cabinet briefing note called Support For Businesses In Ottawa And Windsor Impacted By Demonstrations.
"Of the 1,900 eligible businesses, 'Ottawa received a total of 1,561 applications and as of June 8 had approved 1,127 applications amounting to approximately $8.6 million in federal support.' A total, $20 million was budgeted for claims in the nation’s capital so the payments represented only 43% of the compensation fund.
"Inflated damage estimates were even higher in Windsor and nearby Essex County, said the briefing note.
Anti-vaccine mandate truckers blocked traffic on the Ambassador Bridge to Detroit, the busiest land crossing in Canada, and $2.5 million was budgeted for compensation in Windsor. It was initially estimated up to 240 businesses” would qualify for relief, wrote staff in the report. But only 77 applied and the 60 approved claims only represented a total $462,469 or 18% of the compensation fund.
"The money came from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario."
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