Coun.  Harold Jonker of the Gainsborough area of ​​West Lincoln Township “encouraged, supported and actively participated in illegal activities related to” the seizure of the Freedom Convoy in downtown Ottawa on Feb. .
They say Jonker breached West Lincoln council’s code of conduct by engaging in the illegal activity because he allegedly accepted funds from the initial $1 million GoFundMe payout to support the occupiers and failed to respond to a request for information from integrity commissioners who examine the extent of his participation in the protests.
Integrity commissioners found Jonker brought 11 trucks from his family’s trucking business to Ottawa in late January 2022.
He often spoke to the media about the Freedom Convoy and its goals, even speaking at CP24, where he did not identify himself as a West Lincoln Township council member.
Integrity commissioners found Jonker took part in the procession even after it was declared illegal, in breach of the council’s code of conduct.
The lawyers argued that because the Ottawa escort protest was ultimately found to violate municipal, provincial and federal law, Jonker “owed a duty of loyalty to the resident of the City,” which he broke by participating in an illegal protest.
They also said Jonker did not respond when asked if he received money from the GoFundMe, suggesting to them that he did.
“When given the opportunity to clarify, Counsel chose not to say anything,” the attorneys wrote in their report.
Jonker told CP24 he didn’t receive any money from the GoFundMe and “didn’t say anything” when asked because he just missed some email questions from Aird and Berlis attorneys.
“I missed a few emails, that’s weighing on me,” he said.
He said he took no money from donations and spent his own money to participate.
“We went there as a company – my trucking company – we decided as partners to participate – we lost money – as a business I lost a lot of money, I mean a lot of money,” he said.
He said the only things he received that could be considered “gifts” were an occasional sandwich at the protest site.
The integrity commissioner recommended Jonker forfeit 30 days’ pay as a result of his actions, which Jonker says will cost him about $1,300.
They also recommended that Jonker “pay back” the cost of any food or fuel given to him during the protest within 30 days.