A recent gathering over the Labour Day weekend in Ontario’s Niagara Region organized by a self-proclaimed “Canadian men’s nationalist” group has raised alarms about the surge in anti-immigrant sentiments and the recruitment drives of extremist organizations. Experts studying extremism have drawn parallels between the Second Sons group and white supremacist and neo-Nazi active clubs, which convene for fitness sessions believed to be preparation for a perceived impending race conflict. Jeremy MacKenzie, the leader of Second Sons, also heads Diagolon, described as an “extremist militia-like organization” by the RCMP.
Photos and videos shared by Second Sons on social media depicted around 50 individuals marching, chanting, and displaying flags in Queenston Heights Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The participants wore matching white masks and black T-shirts with phrases like “All thy sons” and “He who guards.” Concerns have been voiced by Saleh Waziruddin, a member of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association (NRARA), who highlighted the group’s exclusionary ideology targeting individuals like himself.
Second Sons, founded in 2024, identifies itself as a “Canadian men’s nationalist club” striving to safeguard a supposedly threatened way of life through political activism and physical training. Despite not having a permit, the group conducted the rally at Queenston Heights, while their activities in southern Ontario have been traced to locations like Hamilton and Niagara. The Niagara Parks, overseeing the park and monument, confirmed the lack of authorization for the gathering and emphasized that they do not endorse the group’s beliefs or actions.
Notably, Second Sons has been actively recruiting members and striving to enhance visibility, as evidenced by the surge in applications following the recent rally. The group’s utilization of masks and uniform attire resembles that of the American white nationalist organization Patriot Front, known for advocating a white-exclusive state. Furthermore, Second Sons’ use of the Red Ensign flag, associated with white supremacists, has stirred additional concerns about their motives and affiliations.
The rise of anti-immigrant sentiments, driven by misinformation, has sparked apprehension among experts like Ameil Joseph from McMaster University. Policy changes restricting international students and temporary foreign workers have been linked to the proliferation of anti-immigrant rhetoric. Joseph emphasized the danger posed by unchallenged narratives promoting exclusionary ideologies and urged for concerted efforts to counter extremist groups’ influence through community initiatives and governmental support.
