A Whitehorse businessman has taken all his money out of three local banks due to concerns over the financial provisions in the federal government’s Emergencies Act.

Ironically, as he sat down for an interview with the Star on Wednesday afternoon, word began to circulate that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was announcing the revocation of the controversial act.

The longtime Yukoner, who asked to remain anonymous, said he had spent last Friday and Monday closing his accounts – which amounted to approximately a million dollars – due to his concerns over the act.

He had donated $100 to the truck convoy earlier in February, he said.

He grew highly disturbed at the provisions in the Emergencies Act that would allow the federal government to target donors.

While he didn’t believe he was in imminent danger, the man said, who is in his 60s, he wasn’t willing to take a chance.

He had accounts at three of the four local branches of the largest banks.

Two were fairly co-operative, the man said.

At the third bank, the manager was visibly angry at what he was doing – especially after he asked whether there was a list of approved organizations to donate to.

However, he said the manager also indicated that the branch had been instructed to report any “problem” customers to the RCMP by the corporate office.

“You mean like this conversation?” he asked.

The man claimed the manager agreed with that analysis.

The business owner said he made the donation to the convoy organization after the giant Go Fund Me company shut down the first fundraiser, which had received more than $10 million in donations.

He said he was outraged at the manoeuvre, and was sympathetic to the general notion of opposing the COVID-19 health restrictions and mandates.

“That definitely gave me a push (to make a donation),” the businessman said. “I felt compelled to support them.”

Once he learned something about the Emergencies Act, and Ottawa’s intent to target people who made donations to the truckers convoy by seizing their accounts, the businessman became very concerned about his own funds.

That’s why he decided to make the drastic decision to close his accounts.

He said the banks he dealt with have been busy with other people in the Yukon and Whitehorse following suit, although he wouldn’t provide any names.

Many others scoffed at his concerns – until they had time to look at what was happening. Then, he said, many of them began to re-think their position.

When he learned Wednesday the federal government was revoking the act, the man didn’t change his position.

“I still want to spank the banks,” he declared.

He is highly critical of Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, who he said has ignored seven emails sent to him on the subject.

The man said he went to Hanley’s office in recent days, and could hear staff working inside. Yet no one would come to the door to talk with him.

The man said that was unacceptable behaviour.

He did acknowledge a sign on the door said visitation is by appointment only, and he hasn’t tried to make one.

“I have no representation,” he said. “I want to put some pressure on him.”

“What kind of country are we living in?” he asked in conclusion.

The federal government and the RCMP have advised national media sources that the bank accounts of convoy leaders were targeted for freezing, as opposed to Canadians across the country making small donations to the cause.

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