Fascism in Canada (French: Fascisme au Canada) consists of a variety of movements and political parties in Canada during the 20th century. Largely a fringe ideology, fascism has never commanded a large following amongst the Canadian people, and was most popular during the Great Depression. Most Canadian fascist leaders were interned at the outbreak of World War II under the Defence of Canada Regulations and in the post-war period, fascism never recovered its former small influence.[1]
During the 1930s, the Canadian Union of Fascists was founded. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, it was led by Chuck Crate and modeled on Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists. Around the same time, in February 1934 in Quebec, the National Social Christian Party was founded by journalist and self-proclaimed "Canadian Führer" Adrien Arcand.[2] In October of that same year, the party merged with the Canadian Nationalist Party, which was based in the prairie provinces. In June 1938, it merged with Nazi groups from Ontario and Quebec (many of which were known as Swastika clubs), to form the National Unity Party.[3]
With the outbreak of World War II, most openly fascist organizations and political parties were banned under the Defence of Canada Regulations.
