The Canadian National Socialist Party, commonly known as the Canadian Nazi Party, existed from 1965 to 1978. It was led by William John Beattie, and was based in Toronto.[1][2] It succeeded a separate, short-lived group also known as the Canadian Nazi Party that was led by André Bellefeuille and based in Quebec.[3][4] It was affiliated with the World Union of National Socialists.[3]
According to John Garrity, a spy who infiltrated the party, its recruitment was supported by the American Nazi Party's leader, George Lincoln Rockwell. He stated that Rockwell had sent the Canadian Nazi Party a list of almost three hundred Ontario residents that had contacted the American Nazi Party.[3]
The party's rallies in Toronto have been described as "infamous". One such rally in 1966 drew a counter-protest of about 1,500 people.[5]
