Canadian lawmakers vote to label Proud Boys a terrorist organization

The Canadian House of Commons has passed legislation that calls for classifying the far-right Proud Boys group as a terrorist organization.

The measure passed the legislature’s lower chamber by an unanimous margin on Monday.

By unanimous consent, the #HoC adopted a motion regarding the proliferation of white supremacist and hate groups and the designation of the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity.

— In the Chamber (@HoCChamber) January 25, 2021

According to Global News, the motion urges the Canadian government to “use all available tools to address the proliferation of white supremacists and hate groups starting with the immediately designating the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity.” 

The motion was reportedly introduced by Member of Parliament Jagmeet Singh, who is also the head of the country’s New Democratic Party (NPD), which has reportedly pushed for the designation in recent weeks.

The motion now awaits consideration from leadership in Ottawa, which reportedly has the final say in the matter.

In a tweet marking the legislation’s passage on Monday, Singh urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to back the measure, telling his followers they need to get “the pressure on.”

The Proud Boys is a far-right group that has come under scrutiny in recent years, known for its ties to violent protests in the nation, some in support of former President Trump.

The group has previously described itself as “a pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; aka Western Chauvinists.” 

A leader within the group, Enrique Tarrio, was arrested and charged with destruction of property by police in Washington, D.C. weeks back for his involvement in pro-Trump protests that took place in the city last month. 

At the time of his arrest, which happened a day before the Jan. 6 riot by a pro-Trump mob at the Capitol that prompted the building to temporarily lock down, Tarrio was found to have possessed two high-capacity firearm magazines. He was also charged with possessing a high-capacity feeding device as a result, police said. 

Other members of the group have also been arrested in charges connected to the Capitol riot earlier this month.