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In February 2021 the Canadian government published a considerably expanded list of domestic terrorist entities. While some, such as Blood and Honour, were already known, others – such as Atomwaffen Division, the Base, the Proud Boys, and the Russian Imperial Movement – emerged from the shadows. Until then many considered far-right groups in Canada a negligible phenomenon, at worst a local police matter.
The Great Right North charts the growth of these groups, illuminating how official and unofficial government attention generates the context in which they build their movements. The result of seven years of research – including social media scraping, analysis of print and video sources, and interviews with scores of leaders and adherents – it examines how far-right organizations operate, recruit, and finance their activities and explores why individuals choose to join. Breaking new ground by revealing the ideological underpinnings and fragmentation within these groups, the authors also highlight the role of digital platforms in their proliferation.
Most politicians have been quiet about the phenomenon of far-right extremism in Canada, insisting it is imported activism financed elsewhere. The Great Right North provides an essential primer – for journalists, those working in policy institutes and think tanks, and students and scholars – for understanding its vast and urgent homegrown challenges.
“The Great Right North reminds us that the Canadian extreme right has long, deep roots, posing threats to national security and public safety. Anyone who worries about the fragility of Canadian multiculturalism and democracy will want this on their bookshelf.” Barbara Perry, Ontario Tech University
“The Great Right North should be required reading for every academic, policymaker, journalist, law enforcement official, and citizen concerned about the far right. It is a highly nuanced work that makes sense of recent events such as the Freedom Convoy and the Quebec City mosque shooting, and it is sure to be helpful in interpreting future developments as well.” Jonathan Montpetit, CBC News
Stéphane Leman-Langlois is professor of criminology at Université Laval.
Samuel Tanner is professor in the School of Criminology at the Université de Montréal.
Aurélie Campana is professor of political science at Université Laval.