Politicians denounce white supremacist gathering in Shawinigan, Que., over weekend

Political figures in Quebec and Ottawa have denounced a white supremacist rally held on May 30 in Shawinigan, Que., in the Mauricie region northeast of Montreal.

Masked individuals displayed a banner reading, “I remember a white Quebec'' near the city’s cenotaph.

Premier Christine Fréchette said racist messages have no place in Quebec society and must be denounced clearly and unequivocally. 

“This is not the Quebec we stand for,” she said in a statement released May 31.

Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon linked the gathering to so-called “active clubs,” which use sports as a cover to recruit members and normalize extremism.

Liberal Leader Charles Milliard also denounced the rally, saying it does not reflect the openness of Quebecers.

On Monday, Ian Lafrenière, Quebec’s domestic security minister, told reporters that authorities should closely monitor groups that promote extremist messages. ''I hope this is a small group,'' he said.

Marc Miller, federal Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, wrote on social media that the gathering was shameful and contrary to the values Canadians share. “It does not represent Quebec or Canada, and it has no place in our communities,” Miller wrote.

The City of Shawinigan issued a statement condemning the rally and stressing that organizers had not submitted a permit request or informed municipal authorities in advance.

Shawinigan Mayor Yves Lévesque said it was unacceptable for the group to stage their demonstration in the city, adding there was no indication the participants were from the community.

Quebec provincial police said they learned of the demonstration through a photo that had circulated in the media over the weekend, but did not say whether they planned to investigate.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2026.

By Charlotte Glorieux | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.