A Labour Day weekend gathering in Ontario’s Niagara Region by a group that identifies itself as a “Canadian men’s nationalist” organization is raising alarms about increasing anti-immigrant attitudes and the recruitment tactics of extremist factions.
Experts studying extremism have drawn parallels between Second Sons and other groups linked to white supremacy and neo-Nazi ideologies. These organizations often engage members through fitness activities, which some analysts suggest may be preparation for what they perceive as an impending race conflict.
The leader of Second Sons, Jeremy Mac Kenzie, is also known as the founder of Diagolon, described by the RCMP as an “extremist militia-like organization.”
On August 31, Second Sons posted images and videos online showing roughly 50 individuals marching, chanting, and waving flags at Queenston Heights Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., before pausing to take pictures in front of the impressive 56-metre-tall monument dedicated to Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock.
The majority of participants featured in these visuals donned matching white masks and black T-shirts with phrases like “All thy sons” and “He who guards.” Videos captured park visitors observing from afar.
“It is a kind of intimidation,” noted Saleh Waziruddin, an executive member of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association (NRARA).
Waziruddin, who comes from a South Asian background, mentioned he didn’t witness the rally firsthand but has received reports from those worried about this group gaining momentum locally.
“Part of their ideology is that people like me are not part of this family or that we’re taking away the birthright of what they feel they’re entitled to as white people.”
Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock was a commander and administrator in Upper Canada remembered partly for his role in defeating American forces at Fort Mackinac and Detroit just months before his death at the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812. A monument honoring Brock stands within Queenston Heights Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. (Justin Chandler/CBC)
According to its website, Second Sons claims to be a “Canadian men’s nationalist club,” founded in 2024 with aims to protect what it asserts is a way of life under threat through political activism and physical training.
“Our birthright has been stolen from us as we are being pushed out of society, academics and the workforce, and replaced by foreigners without any roots or connections to the Canadian people,” states the group.
In additiontofootagefrom Queenston Heights , they also showcasedapictureof Mackenziealongsidemaskedmembersstandingbehindafightingring. CBC’svisualinvestigationsteammanagedtoconfirmthislocationrepresented Caledonia Lions Community Centrein Caledonia. Ont. CBCHamiltoncontacted Lions Clubwhostateditwas unawarethatthese rentershadconnectionswith Second Sonsduring lastweekend.
“Hadweknownaboutitsrealidentitybeforehand, rentapprovalwouldnothaveoccurred. Wewereleftdisappointedthatbookingpurposegotmisrepresentedwhilewantingtobe clearthatwedon’tsupportorendorseanyextremistideology,”indicated Caledonia Lions Clubviaemail.
The website maintainedby Second Sonsemphasizesfitnessaimstomakemembersbetterversionsofthemselves. Additionally, hidingidentitiesisdescribedasameasureforprivacyprotectionagainstpotentialretaliationsfrom“stateofficialsortheirattackdogs.”![]()
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(Thomas Daigle/CBC)
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No permit obtained for gathering, says Niagara Parks
Waziruddin pointed out that this public rally during the long weekend was unprecedented for him within the region. However, recent investigations have traced similar activities by this group throughout southern Ontario as noted by . A visual investigation conducted by CBC recently uncovered that both Second Sons and another active club named Nationalist-13 were conducting martial arts training sessions across gyms and parks located in Hamilton and Niagara. “Canadian nationalism is not just ‘back,’ it’s unshakeably inevitable,” proclaimed Second Sons on social media following their Labour Day event. “The spirit of rugged defiance is as Canadian as Newfoundland Cod or Major-General Isaac Brock.” Brock – whose name graces a university nearby St. Catharines – was an Upper Canada commander known for dying heroically against American troops during the War of 1812 at Queenston Heights. Niagara Parks officials indicated that Second Sons did not possess a permit or authorization for their gathering on August 30. According to their website guidelines, permits are required for large gatherings or special events. “Upon review, our understanding is that the rally remained peaceful with no incidents reported,” said spokesperson Katy Wassenaar via email. “We did not receive any complaints from residents; however, it’s important to note that Niagara Parks does not support actions taken by Second Sons nor endorse their beliefs.” She added that Niagara Parks Police Service collaborates with local law enforcement agencies to monitor protests ensuring compliance with regulations. A representative from Niagara-on-the-Lake named Marah Minor stated via email: “The town does not tolerate any form of racism, hate or discrimination.” CBC Hamilton reached out for comments directly from Second Sons but did not receive any feedback prior to publication.The group shared photos from an ‘active club’ meet-up
Waziruddin expressed concern over how it seems like Second Sons wants more visibility while trying to recruit fresh members based on reports after their rally where they claimed they’d gotten an “avalanche” of applications. This trend raises worries about possibly attracting even more individuals into these ideologies,” Waziruddin said. According to him , Second Sons operates beyond just social gatherings ; it’s intertwined within larger political movements.WATCH | How CBC tracked a recent meetup to Caledonia , Ont.:<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1769369552_821_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/ Exposing a fascist MMA tournament held during Labor Day weekendCBC’s visual investigations unit discovers where exactly an MMA tournament organizedbythewhitenationalistgroup Second Sonsoccurredinthetownof Caledonia. Ont. The members appearing duringtheirgathering dressed similarlytoindividualsfroman Americanwhitenationalistgroupcalled Patriot Frontwhichadvocatescreatingawhite-onlystateinthe U. S., accordingtoananalysisbythe Programon Extremismatthe George Washington University. Someonewithin Second Sonssaidmentionofthe Patriot Frontwasmadein alivestreamfollowingtherally. Additinally , Second Sonshasbeenseenwiththe Red Ensignflagthat holds popularityamongwhitesupremacistgroups. On September2nd, Mackenzie, thefounderpostedavideoin Telegramwhileperformingwhatappearedto bea Nazisaluteandsmilingforthecameraashemusicplayedanddrove.“Joan Jettcameon, andthemoodcameoverme. Whatcan Isay?”hewroteinthepost. CBCHamiltonrequestedcommentsonthismattervia Second Sons’websitebutdidnotreceiveanyresponsebeforepublishingthearticle. A video capturing partsfrom Brock’srally sharedby Second Sonsreveals Mackenzieunmaskedaddressingmembersduringhis speech whereinhelamentsabout Canada being“pillaged, rappedandburned.”Atonespecificmomentvideopansontoagroupofmenwhoseappearancesarebrownas Mackenzieaccusespoliticiansofbeingunfamiliarwiththerealmeaningofbeing Canadian.
In additiontofootagefrom Queenston Heights , they also showcasedapictureof Mackenziealongsidemaskedmembersstandingbehindafightingring. CBC’svisualinvestigationsteammanagedtoconfirmthislocationrepresented Caledonia Lions Community Centrein Caledonia. Ont. CBCHamiltoncontacted Lions Clubwhostateditwas unawarethatthese rentershadconnectionswith Second Sonsduring lastweekend.
“Hadweknownaboutitsrealidentitybeforehand, rentapprovalwouldnothaveoccurred. Wewereleftdisappointedthatbookingpurposegotmisrepresentedwhilewantingtobe clearthatwedon’tsupportorendorseanyextremistideology,”indicated Caledonia Lions Clubviaemail.
The website maintainedby Second Sonsemphasizesfitnessaimstomakemembersbetterversionsofthemselves. Additionally, hidingidentitiesisdescribedasameasureforprivacyprotectionagainstpotentialretaliationsfrom“stateofficialsortheirattackdogs.”An academic expresses fears over growing acceptance towards hate
Waziruddinpointedasanti-immigrantviewsoftenariseoutoffalseinformationwhichcouldleadtonoticeableimpactsonpeople’slives. P
Hehighlightedhowimmigrantsaswellastemporaryforeignworkersalongsideinternationalstudentsbecome scapegoats blamedforjoblossesaffecting Canadians contributing topolicy alterationslike limitinginternationalstudentsenrolledat Ontariouniversitiesbesidesproposalspertaining Canada’stemporaryforeignworkerprograms.
Ameil Joseph, a Mc Master Universitysocialsciencesassociateprofessornotesthatpolicychangeslike these can adversely affect everyone involved while fueling further hostilities against immigrants especiallywhen such narratives remain unchallenged.
Canadians might catch sightofvideos featuring Mac Kenziespeakingagainstimmigrationinawayresonatingwithcertainpoliticians’debatingpolicies. Josephmentionedthatvarious Tik Tokvideoswhereindividualscomplainabout South Asian employeesservingsomefoodproductsaddstotheoverallmesswithoutprovidingclarityaroundhistoricaldevelopments involvingwhite-nationalistsattemptsatorganizationovergenerations.
Ifollowingviewsof Josephrevealconcernsregardinghowmuchperceptionshavealteredsince Charlottesville incidentwherewhite supremacists stageddemonstrations. Unlike then, the Niagara-on-the-Lakerallyappearslargelyignoredpossiblyindicatingacceptance aroundobservingsuchgroups openly emergingwithin society.’
The backdropchosenfor Niagararallyseemsaimedtowardinvokingunityagainst‘invaders’, alloftakingadvantagepatrioticfeelingstoengagepotentialnewfollowers,”Josephremarked.”It certainlylooks likethey’rehaving success; it’sabsolutelyterrifying.”
In Hamilton area community groups united actively responding counter-protests againstfar-rightactions. During interviews, introducinggreaterinvestmentfromlocalgovernmentstowardsaidingtheseefforts wouldenhance impact considerably.
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