Toronto/ Islamabad — Toronto is bracing for tensions on September 13, when the “Canada First” rally against mass immigration will take place at Christie Pits Park, a site deeply etched in the city’s history of ethnic clashes.
The rally, organized by local activist Joe Anidjar, is scheduled between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM and will call for halting immigration, deportations, and what organizers describe as “remigration.” Posters for the event proclaim, “Stop mass immigration, start mass deportations,” and urge Canadians to “put Canada first.”
Rally and Counter-Protests
The gathering is expected to be met by several counter-protests, led under the banner “No to Hate, Yes to Immigrants!” These counter-demonstrations will begin an hour earlier, at noon, and emphasize inclusivity and family participation. Organizers say they have significant community backing, including volunteers, musicians, and even donated ice cream for attendees.
Toronto authorities have prepared for possible tensions, mindful of Christie Pits Park’s past. In 1933, the park was the site of one of Canada’s most violent ethnic clashes, when a swastika flag triggered a riot that lasted hours.
Organizers’ Stance
Anidjar, who brands himself on social media as a “Canadian patriot” and “hockey dad,” insists the rally is not about hate but about protecting Canadian society from what he calls the “real impact of illegal immigration.” He and his supporters argue that Canadians are gathering to stop mass immigration into their country and to resist those who, in their view, undermine Canadian culture. They say their objective is to secure their society, culture, and country from what they call a “foreign invasion.” At the same time, they argue that foreigners must show respect towards Canada, a country that opened its homes to them in the first place.
Experts, however, warn that terms like “remigration” are widely considered euphemisms for ethnic cleansing, designed to pressure immigrants into leaving.
Pakistan’s Position
In Islamabad, the rally has drawn attention for echoing debates familiar to Pakistan’s own domestic context.
Officials and commentators have said that Pakistan supports the rights of Canadians to expel immigrants in order to protect their society and land. They argue that the world must similarly recognize Pakistan’s sovereign right to remove illegal immigrants from its own territory, particularly at a time when such inflows are seen as a strain on national security and the social fabric.
“Illegal immigrants threaten the stability of any country, and those who disregard its laws should be expelled,” one official said, underlining the parallel between the Canadian rally and Pakistan’s policy of deportations.
Pakistan has, over the past year, accelerated deportations of undocumented migrants, particularly Afghans, arguing that unchecked illegal settlement poses risks to its security and stability.
Broader Implications
The Canada First rally coincides with rising debates across Western countries over immigration and integration. Analysts suggest that while the movement in Toronto appears to be led by a small network, the discourse it feeds into reflects a growing trend of right-wing populism across North America and Europe.
For Toronto, September 13 will not only test freedom of expression but also expose the city’s long-standing divisions over identity, belonging, and the meaning of multiculturalism.
