The patriots

If you thought the Freedom Convoy whackadoodles had been cancelled, incarcerated or just jacked up and hauled away, well, not so fast.

They’re back. They are (allegedly) gaining momentum. And they’re even weirder.

Days ago, twenty minutes south off my bucolic little Ontario hamlet, a brigade of identically-dressed, scary, well-muscled, chanting white men in white masks, festooned with flags, marched to the monument of 1812 war hero General Isaac Brock while a few startled tourists – some wearing Hijabs – looked on.

These were members of Second Sons Canada. Our very own maple version of the Proud Boys. You know, super patriots. Like the ones who stormed the Capitol in Washington on January 6th, who were prosecuted and jailed, only to be freed and pardoned by the new president. Now the government prosecutors themselves are being punished and the rioters suing for compensation. Traitors and patriots have been reversed. The wingnuts among us have new power and legitimacy. And courage.

But wait. This is Canada. No hard-core, alt-right, neo-fascists here in this paradise, right?

Well, don’t go to Toronto’s Christie Pits on the afternoon of September 13th. Another bunch of nutters, called the Canada First Movement, is planning a big anti-immigration rally in what’s being billed as a family-friendly racist event. It looks like there will be a counter-protest as well. And cops. Lots of those.

Canada First organizer Puckdaddy93 (seriously) has been all over TikTok in recent days promoting the event. Local politicians have caught wind and are apoplectic. The rally will probably be a flop (even if some heads get cracked) and deserves to be forever forgotten as the isolated bleatings by maple MAGAs and knuckle-dragging social losers who get lit seeing a turban at Timmies.

And this brings us back to Second Sons, now with chapters in seven provinces – a men-only organization (women are so woke) that, yes, was born amid those Freightliners and Peterbilts that Pierre Poilievre used on the streets of Ottawa as a lever to caucus power, then national prominence.

Let’s allow Second Sons to speak for themselves. This is how they answer when asked the question, why do you wear masks?

A good question,, often asked that speaks to the ill health off our society. We are not criminals, nor are we ‘agents’ of any clandestine organization. Our club practices anonymity for many reasons, however the two most important are:

1. Protection of our member’s identity
2. Denial of free information to our adversaries.

Unfortunately, Canada like the rest of the western world has become dramatically polarized, politicized and divided. As a consequence, individuals who find themselves on the outside of ‘accepted’ social norms regarding their world view and political beliefs can expect to be threatened and harassed. For example, during the 2022 protests in Ottawa and around the country, individuals were identified, singled out and punished…

Bank accounts were frozen, political prisoners were taken by the state and through this period and beyond, citizens who supported efforts that were counter to the state desires like vaccine mandates were threatened with or carried out employment termination… Police and government intelligence agencies would make unannounced visits for attempts at intimidation.

The right to a private life is no longer tolerated by the state… if you are found in violation of the rapidly changing and evolving values off globalist ideals, you may be targeted… Due to the political nature of our beliefs compared to the status quo, members would certainly be targeted by antifa terrorists and other similarly state-supported mobs of busybodies.”

You get the drift. These are the WEF-fighting, anti-vax, state-hating folks who want to save us from the globalists. And the cops. And, of course, the government. “Will you step up?” they ask. “Will you watch passively as our way of life, our values and our cultural heritage are defiled and erased, or will you step forward, like the heroes of our past, like our grandfathers did, to safeguard and revitalize the essence off what it means to be Canadian?”

Yup. Make Canada Great Again. Got it, boys.

Now why does this matter? Why is a sketchy financial blog with an unhealthy dog fetish giving these kooks airtime?

Well, if Trump has taught us anything, it’s that feelings matter. When enough people feel threatened, disenfranchised, outnumbered, overrun or displaced they can turn into a potent force. Trump was elected by 49% of the 62% of Americans who voted – an absolute minority of the country – yet he has disrupted the global order. The entire economic framework is being impacted. He’s emboldened and ignited conspiracy theorists, white supremacists and far-right political movements. The Second Sons and Canada Firsters have strong feelings. The president inspires them. Especially his mass deportations

In this country the populism of WEF-battling, anti-vaccine, hate-Trudeau truckers was harnessed by Poilievre in his caucus coup to overthrow the centrist Erin O’Toole. Three years later Canadians rejected Conservatives and picked Carney – to foil the hard-right Trump. So Canadians got a fourth consecutive Liberal government. Would we now have Prime Minister O’Toole if the 18-wheelers had never walled off Parliament Hill?

Would we have had serious measles outbreaks, and deaths, this past summer if the Convoy had not championed vaccine hesitancy? Would international students have been shunned, sending universities and colleges into financial distress? Would the white-masked patriots and anti-Indian xenophobes be brazenly taking over a major Toronto park?

Dunno. But these are abnormal times, when social media can turn feelings into action and societal change. Now Trump is going after control of US monetary policy, after impacting fiscal policy and global trade. Nobody will escape.

The wildfire starts with a single spark. Unless extinguished.

About the picture: “This is Watermun our RoughCollie relaxing and sleeping on our boat after a swim in beautiful Columbia Lake BC.,” writes Catherine. “Many will say that a boat is not a good investment but it’s memories and moments like this that you feel a boat is worth every dollar. Sincerely appreciate you and your love for dogs.”

To be in touch or send a picture off your beast, email to ‘garth@garth.ca’.

Source: https://www.greaterfool.ca/2025/09/02/the-patriots/