EDMONTON – Canada has seen an increase in white Christian nationalism, a movement that combines strong religious beliefs, ideas around ethnicity, and the push to maintain what some see as traditional Canadian culture.
While Canada promotes itself as a multicultural country, this mix of conservative Christianity and ethno-nationalist thinking has spread, especially during times of social and political change like the COVID-19 pandemic and debates on immigration.
This article looks at how white Christian nationalism is growing in Canada, its views on Canadian identity, its response to immigration, and the growing resistance to multiculturalism. The trend raises questions about the country’s image as a diverse and welcoming place.
What Christian Nationalism Looks Like in Canada
White Christian nationalism in Canada connects Christian faith with a vision of the country that centres on white, conservative values. Supporters often claim Canada’s roots are Christian, and they argue those roots must be protected from secularism, cultural mixing, and progressive ideas.
While only about 3% of Canadians called themselves “religious nationalists” in a 2024 Pew Research Centre study (compared to higher numbers in Brazil and Ghana), the movement’s voice is louder than its size thanks to organised groups and social media.
In some ways, this trend mirrors movements in the United States, where white Christian nationalism links to white supremacy, fear of outsiders, and resistance to progressive laws.
In Canada, groups such as Liberty Coalition Canada have become well-known, especially during the pandemic when they opposed public health rules and teamed up with hardline pastors. Their language often calls for a return to “Christian nations” as the base for religious freedom, which appeals to people unsettled by fast-paced cultural change.
Competing Ideas About Canadian Christian Nationalism
Canadian nationalism has long balanced civic pride with the idea of a shared, diverse community. Since the 1960s, the main vision has not focused on ethnicity or religion, but instead on bringing together English speakers, French Canadians, Indigenous peoples, and immigrants under values like equality and multiculturalism.
Political leaders like Pierre Trudeau promoted this idea, pushing Canada away from exclusion based on background or faith, and towards embracing bilingualism and cultural variety.
White Christian nationalism, however, offers a narrower view. It describes Canada as a nation built on Christian ideas, often linked to European settler history, and sees multiculturalism as a threat to this foundation.
This approach, known in academic circles as “ethno-cultural framing,” often uses coded language that stirs up fear of immigrants, minorities, and those seen as challenging white, Protestant traditions. Groups like Canada First, which draws inspiration from the U.S.-based America First, use anti-immigrant messages and call for saving a “Christian Canada.”
Although most Canadians see nationalism as linked to patriotism, white Christian nationalists present themselves as guardians of a special heritage. A 2018 Leger Marketing poll showed that Canadians who identify with nationalism are more likely to worry about immigration and border security, which are topics white Christian nationalists use to build support.
Mass Immigration Fuels Debate
Canada’s approach to immigration is a key part of its national image, with over 400,000 newcomers arriving most year, many from Asia and other non-European countries. In 2021, Canada ranked high worldwide for its openness and acceptance of diverse groups. But the scale of immigration has unsettled some, especially those drawn to white Christian nationalist ideas.
People in this camp argue that high immigration rates threaten Canada’s white, Christian identity. They point to lower birth rates among white Canadians and the growing presence of non-white populations as proof of what they call “white genocide,” a conspiracy theory found in American alt-right circles.
Often, these fears are disguised using talk of “Canadian values” rather than blunt racial language, though the message is clear.
Discussions around immigration have also had real-world effects. The attack at the Quebec City mosque in 2017, where six Muslim men died, and a 32% increase in hate crimes in 2023 (with 43% related to race or ethnicity), show how these ideas can turn into violence.
While Canada’s immigration policy is selective and targets skilled workers and refugees, critics argue that high numbers strain public services and weaken social unity. Far-right groups like the Canadian Nationalist Party have used this feeling to organise rallies against immigration.
Multiculturalism Faces Pushback
Canada’s official multiculturalism policy, launched in 1971 by Pierre Trudeau, was meant to celebrate diversity while strengthening national unity through bilingualism and anti-discrimination. This approach also aimed to ease tension over Quebec separatism.
Yet, white Christian nationalists argue that multiculturalism is a betrayal of Canada’s supposed Christian heritage, claiming it puts minority cultures above the majority’s traditions.
This backlash was visible during the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa, where Bible verses and Christian symbols were seen alongside opposition to COVID-19 rules.
The protests, which started over public health mandates, soon included broader complaints about multiculturalism and progressive policies such as LGBTQ2S+ rights. Liberty Coalition Canada later focused on anti-LGBTQ2S+ campaigns, training school board candidates in Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba to promote conservative Christian values.
Scholars like Leah Mitchell from the University of Toronto point out that this reaction is about bringing Christianity back into ideas about what it means to be Canadian, a trend that faded after the Second World War as Canada became more secular and diverse.
The movement draws on the legacy of figures like former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whose later government years involved strong evangelical influence, and from American Christian nationalists who often see their cause as a fight against modern, liberal values.
Opponents of multiculturalism, including white Christian nationalists, argue it creates “parallel societies” that threaten social unity. This echoes views from some European leaders, such as Angela Merkel, who called multiculturalism a failure in 2010.
In Canada, these ideas are not mainstream but still attract those who feel their cultural identity is under threat, particularly in rural and suburban communities where groups like the Proud Boys have become more active.
Responding to White Christian Nationalism
White Christian nationalism is a challenge to Canada’s multicultural brand, but its reach is still limited. Few Canadians openly support religious nationalism, and the country’s strict hate speech laws make open racism and xenophobia less common.
Still, the movement’s use of social media and its links with broader anti-government and populist trends, especially during the pandemic, have increased its visibility.
Addressing this trend takes different efforts. Experts like Sarah Bjork-James believe that Christian institutions can counter the movement by focusing on more inclusive interpretations of faith, as Jesus’ teachings supported those on the margins.
Bringing communities together to talk about shared values, as suggested by the Canadian Mennonite Magazine, can help prevent extreme views from taking hold by dealing with fears directly and without judgment.
Canada’s history of managing conflicts—whether between English and French, Indigenous and settler, or secular and religious groups—offers hope for handling new tensions.
The commitment to multiculturalism, while not perfect, has helped Canada resist the pull of exclusionary ideas. As social and economic pressures continue, the country will need to stay alert to protect its open, pluralistic approach from the rise of white Christian nationalism.
