White nationalist now planning rally in Toronto

The Peterborough man who organized a white supremacist rally at Confederation Square in Peterborough without a permit from the city on Sept. 30 is now organizing another rally in Toronto. Kevin Goudreau’s “anti-immigration, anti-Trudeau” Peterborough rally didn’t happen after being drowned out by counter-protests from local groups under the Solidarity Weekend and from anti-fascist groups. Goudreau didn’t even show up but one of his supporters was punched at the rally leading to a melee in which a city police officer was assaulted. Two people were arrested. The City of Toronto and Toronto Mayor John Tory have sent a strong message to the Canadian Nationalist Front that they’re not welcome to rally in any Toronto parks. According to information from a White Pride website, the CNF -- headed by Goudreau -- is scheduled to hold an “anti-Trudeau” rally in Kew Beach Park on Nov. 4. Efforts to reach Goudreau Thursday were unsuccessful. Whether the Toronto rally is a still a go, or not -- and apparently a permit application has not been received -city staff have said that under their permit policy, this kind of event is not allowed on city property. If the CNF decides to go ahead anyway, Tory spokesman Don Peat says the local councillor, Mary-Margaret McMahon, has already alerted 55 Division and the parks people about the details. “Mayor Tory firmly believes that there is no place for hate in Toronto,” says Peat. “He has worked over the last three years to make sure the city’s motto of ‘Diversity our Strength’ is respected, strengthened and reinforced at every opportunity.” Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre president Avi Benlolo, whose organization brought the Nov. 4 rally to the city’s attention, said Thursday he hopes this measure is a result of the concerns they expressed in the summer about a Toronto park playing host to an anti-Israel Al Quds Day rally back in July. “I hope the city will take responsibility for what happens on city property,” he said, noting the area around Kew Gardens Park is a diverse family friendly neighbourhood .“It rest son the city to ensure that messages of hate and intolerance are not given a platform on public streets and property.” Peat added that the mayor’s office will continue to monitor the situation in the coming weeks.