Federal Subsidy for Ottawa Businesses Affected by Freedom Convoy Came 36 Percent Under Budget

A person crosses the street beside a big rig parked on Metcalfe Street in downtown Ottawa during the second week of the Freedom Convoy protest against federal COVID-19 restrictions, on Feb. 7, 2022. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

A federal agency mandated to give out $20 million in subsidies to downtown Ottawa businesses that it said suffered losses due to the truckers’ Freedom Convoy protest earlier this year struggled to find applicants for the money, Access to Information records show.

The records show that the final payment given out by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) was $12.9 million—36 percent under budget—according to Blacklock’s Reporter.