The Line: Operations and Overhead

[ Part of The Canadian Far Right in the Time of COVID ]

The Line reveals little glimpses of their business side.

Vladislav, leader of The Line’s associate group Hugs Not Masks, is the videographer for the August 31st protest in front of Parliament in Ottawa.

At 8:50 Vlad begins to describe their financial investment in this event. He says that they are not allowed to sell their merchandise… So they accept donations, instead.

Vlad estimates that the event has cost around $16,000 altogether. The figure is believable if we factor in merch production, transport of crew and cargo, and comfortable accomodations for the core group.

Lamont Daigle, The Line’s National Director, explained in a little more detail at the October 3 protest in Toronto:

Lacking a vendor permit, The Line can’t sell merchandise. It can, however, gift t-shirts to people who donate $30 at the merch booth. Donations which are not taxed and do not pay for licensing or permits.

Where did they get the startup capital for these ventures? Wherever it came from, we know where it wound up. Daigle explains at the October 10 protest in Toronto (25:30):

Payments through their website were going directly to him until just before this event. Little wonder he can criss-cross the country as a full-time organizer.