Canada’s Far Right Isn’t Just Angry Truckers: Unmasking Queerphobic Hate at Home
Canada’s reputation as a bastion of tolerance and inclusivity faces an unsettling challenge: the growing presence of a bold, organised far right. From anti-drag story hour protests to thinly veiled “parental rights” campaigns, these groups have been galvanised by events like the Freedom Convoy and emboldened by transnational connections to American hate movements. The far right isn’t just a U.S. import—it’s a homegrown threat that’s evolving and targeting the LGBTQ+ community in dangerous ways.
Understanding the far right’s makeup, motivations, and transnational influences is crucial to countering their impact on queer Canadians and ensuring that hate doesn’t take deeper root in our society.
The Freedom Convoy: A Catalyst for Hate
The 2022 Freedom Convoy, initially framed as a protest against COVID-19 restrictions, quickly became a flashpoint for far-right activism in Canada. What began as a loose coalition of disgruntled truckers and anti-vaccine activists morphed into a breeding ground for conspiracy theories, white nationalism, and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. Figures like Pat King, whose public statements frequently invoked xenophobic and far-right themes, rose to prominence during the convoy.
King’s eventual conviction on multiple charges, including mischief and disobeying court orders, highlights the legal consequences of this movement’s more extreme actions. But the cultural consequences linger: the convoy gave the Canadian far right a high-profile stage to amplify their grievances, legitimise their agendas, and recruit new followers [1].
Anti-LGBTQ+ Rhetoric: A Central Focus
The Canadian far right has increasingly centred its energy on targeting LGBTQ+ visibility and rights. Drag queen story hours—community events celebrating inclusivity and self-expression—have become frequent targets. Protesters, organised by groups like Action4Canada, gather outside libraries and community centres, claiming to “protect children” from supposed harm. Their rhetoric mirrors that of U.S. far-right activists, but their tactics have taken on a distinctly Canadian flavour, using local school board meetings and community forums to spread their agenda.
Action4Canada, a Christian nationalist organisation, has been banned from attending some school board meetings due to its disruptive behaviour. Despite this, the group continues to exert influence by capitalising on moral panic, exploiting misinformation, and framing their bigotry as a defence of family values.
The U.S. Connection: Exporting Hate Across Borders
The Canadian far right is deeply influenced by its American counterparts, borrowing strategies, rhetoric, and even funding. Anti-trans activist Chris Elston, known as “Billboard Chris,” has collaborated with U.S. organisations to campaign against gender-affirming care. Similarly, figures like Artur Pawlowski have become infamous for their fiery speeches railing against LGBTQ+ rights, with connections to far-right networks on both sides of the border.
These transnational ties make the Canadian far right more dangerous, equipping them with resources and validation. The cultural and political export of hate from the United States is well-documented, but Canada isn’t just a passive recipient. Canadian far-right groups are shaping their own narratives, crafting campaigns that are tailored to our unique political landscape while drawing inspiration from American tactics.
Why It Matters: The Cost of Complacency
For queer Canadians, the rise of far-right hate isn’t just a political trend—it’s a direct threat to safety, visibility, and rights. What may seem like small-scale protests outside a library or a school board meeting contributes to a larger climate of fear and intimidation. Far-right groups understand this and are using these events as stepping stones to push broader agendas, including eroding hard-won protections for LGBTQ+ Canadians.
The complacency of mainstream society only feeds this momentum. Today, it’s protests at a drag story hour; tomorrow, it could be legislation banning gender-affirming care or removing LGBTQ+ content from school curricula. Without proactive resistance, the far right’s vision of a less inclusive, more regressive Canada could become a reality.
The Canadian far right isn’t just importing American hate—it’s crafting its own blueprint to roll back queer rights.
Fighting Back: Building Resilience and Solidarity
The good news? The LGBTQ+ community and its allies are already fighting back. Across the country, grassroots organisations are mobilising counter-protests, hosting educational campaigns, and challenging the disinformation propagated by far-right groups. These efforts don’t just push back against hate—they build stronger, more connected communities.
Solidarity is critical. Far-right groups thrive on division, whether it’s between urban progressives and rural conservatives or between parents and educators. By bridging these divides, Canadians can create a united front that not only resists far-right hate but builds a vision for a more inclusive and just society.
And while resistance is necessary, so too is joy. Celebrating queer life through art, community events, and storytelling is an act of defiance in itself, reminding us all of the resilience and vibrancy of LGBTQ+ communities in the face of hate. – TML