Toronto anti-immigration protest

Toronto anti-immigration protest
Date	10 January 2026
Location	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Caused by	Mass migration
Goals	Reduction of migration to Canada
Resulted in	Protest proceeded as planned
Parties
Protesters Canada First movement Counter protesters Antifa Community Solidarity Toronto Toronto & York Region Labour Council Urban Alliance on Race Relations Toronto East Anti-hate Mobilization Toronto Police
Lead figures
Joe Anidjar Myron Demkiw
Number
200 to 300 protesters 150 counter protesters Unknown amount of officers
Casualties and losses
Several protesters wounded Several counter protesters wounded 1 Antifa flag confiscated by police [1] Several officers wounded by counter protesters

On 10 January 2026, an anti-immigration protest in Toronto, Ontario, Canada turned violent.

Protest

On 10 January 2026, an anti-immigration protest took place in Toronto, with between 200 and 300 people being in attendance. ^[2] The protest was led by Joe Anidjar, the founder and president of the Canada First Movement. ^[3] According to Toronto Police, officers were in attendance in order to make sure that the protest proceeded peacefully. ^[4] The event drew around 150 counter protesters. ^[5] Counter protesters included members of Antifa, ^[6] Community Solidarity Toronto, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, Toronto East Anti-hate Mobilization (TEAM) and members of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council. ^[7] The protesters and counter protesters clashed which caused police to intervene. According to Toronto Police Association president Clayton Campbell, police officers were "pelted with eggs" and had toilet paper, smoke bombs and plastic bags filled with "what appeared to be urine" thrown at them. However, Campbell did not specify which side threw what. ^[8]

Aftermath

Eight people were arrested in connection with the event, with 29 charges given; police reports did not clarify whether those arrested were protesters or counter-protesters. ^{[4] [7]} Charges included assault against a police officer, assault with a weapon, throwing an explosive, and carrying a concealed weapon. ^{[7] [9]} After the protests had ended, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw made a post on X thanking officers who were present at the protest. ^[10] Later, a partial list of those arrested and charged was released which included: Mahnoor Mohyuddin aged 25 from Milton, Ontario, Jennifer Vong aged 35 from Toronto, Kyle Stephens aged 35 from Toronto, Woodrow Fraser-Boychuk aged 31 from Toronto, Abe Berglas aged 23 from Ottawa, Darcy Belanger aged 50 from Toronto, Bryn Williams aged 24 from Toronto and Charles Kaakee aged 27 from Toronto. However, Toronto Police did not clarify which side of the protest any of the arrested and charged were on. ^[11]

References

1. "Perpetual protester Darryl Richardson does not explain what led police to confiscate his Antifaschistische Aktion flag". X. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
2. "Hundreds gather for anti-immigration rally, counter-protest in downtown Toronto". CBC Lite. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
3. Ponte, Gabriela Silva (10 January 2026). "Hundreds gather for anti-immigration rally, counter-protest in downtown Toronto". CBC. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
4. "Eight people arrested at a Toronto anti-immigration rally and counter-protest". Toronto Star. Canadian Press. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
5. "Dozens gather for anti-immigration rally, counter-protest in downtown Toronto". Arab News 24. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
6. "WARMINGTON: Eight arrests at counter-protest against Canada First rally". Toronto Sun. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026. Cops were trying to keep Canada First demonstrators separated from a counter-protest made up of participants identifying as Antifa, local unions and some who have been regular participants of the pro-Palestinian movement in the past two years.
7. "8 arrests, 29 charges laid at downtown demonstrations: Toronto police". CBC News. 2026-01-11. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
8. "WARMINGTON: Nine arrests at counter-protest against Canada First rally". Yahoo Canada. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
9. "Eight arrested during protests and counter-protests at anti-immigration rally". City News. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
10. "I want to thank the @TorontoPolice officers who were once again on the front line during yesterday's demonstrations, often facing dangerous situations, including incidents in which officers were assaulted". X. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
11. "8 arrested at 'volatile' demonstration in downtown Toronto, including 3 who allegedly assaulted police officers". CTV News. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.