It’s not clear whether the Biden administration will follow suit.
The Canadian government has designated the Proud Boys, a far-right hate group, as a terrorist organization in the wake of its involvement in the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. The Canadian government cited the group’s engagement in violence against Black Lives Matter protesters as well as its “pivotal role” in the insurrection as reasons behind the designation. The designation will allow the Canadian government to turn away members of the Proud Boys at the border and remove their internet postings within Canada, as well as impose penalties on anyone who deals with their property or finances. While the group was founded in 2016 in the US, where it remains most prevalent, there are semi-autonomous chapters based in Canada. “Violent acts of terrorism have no place in Canadian society or abroad,” Canadian public safety minister Bill Blair said in a statement. “Canadians expect their government to keep them safe and to keep pace with evolving threats and global trends, such as the growing threat of ideologically motivated violent extremism.” Canada’s decision to designate the Proud Boys as a terrorist group has put pressure on US authorities to do the same. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that the Biden administration’s national security team is currently examining “violence and this type of concerning group activity across the country” and will make a determination as to how to proceed once that review is complete.
