A 26-year-old Ontario far-right activist suspected of filming a neo-Nazi propaganda video on Quebec soil in support of one of the country’s most radical groups has faced serious terrorism charges.
“We think it sends an important message,” said Inspector David Beaudoin, head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Integrated National Security Team. It is the first time in Canada that a person representing a far-right ideology has been charged under the Counter-Terrorism Act.
According to our information, Patrick Gordon Macdonald is one of the primary authors of hate propaganda material for the Atomic Weapons Division group. Authorities also reportedly managed to link him to the online pseudonym “Dark Foreigner.”
The Division Nuclear Weapons Group was declared a terrorist entity by Canada in 2021. Photo provided by RCMP
Declared a terrorist organization by Canada in 2021, this group would seek to incite a race war with the ultimate goal of the collapse of modern society.
Its members, estimated at a few dozen in Canada, are very active online. But it happens that they meet personally on the occasion of “hate camps”. These events would allow them to learn combat techniques, weapon handling and survival strategies. They would commit hateful gestures toward certain symbols and minority groups, such as the Jewish community.
According to our information, the Nuclear Weapons Division has recruited several veterans and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The latter would train the organization’s members in the use of firearms and hand-to-hand combat.
Video shot in Quebec
The investigation into the nuclear weapons division began in 2020.
The group released a hateful video in October 2019 showing gunmen wearing balaclavas with skull and crossbones patches and participating in what appears to be military training.
The Nuclear Weapons Division released a hateful video in October 2019 showing gunmen dressed in balaclavas with a skull and crossbones and ribbon patches participating in some sort of military training. Photo provided by RCMP
In the video, an off-screen speaker promises violence will occur and calls on supporters to take up arms. It was said that those who did not want to join them would “go down with the others”.
According to our information, the people used real firearms at the time, while we see them hitting targets in the pictures.
However, this video was shot in a school that had been abandoned for years on Chemin Vianney in Saint-Ferdinand in Centre-du-Québec.
An RCMP search also took place at this location in June 2022, which caused an uproar in the small town ahead of the important operation.
In June 2022, an RCMP raid took place at a school that had been abandoned for years on Vianney Road in Saint-Ferdinand, Centre-du-Québec. Photo by Twitter, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
In June 2022, an RCMP raid was conducted at a school on Vianney Road in Saint-Ferdinand, Centre-du-Québec, which had been abandoned for years. Photo archive Jean-François Racine
At least three videos
The man arrested this morning, Patrick Gordon Macdonald, was due to appear at the Ottawa courthouse on Wednesday afternoon on three charges: involvement in the activities of a terrorist group, aiding and abetting terrorist activities and willfully inciting hatred on behalf of a terrorist group.
In addition to the video in Saint-Ferdinand, he is suspected of having created two other propaganda videos for the Atomwaffe division, aimed in particular at recruiting individuals. He would also be behind several hateful montages.
Patrick Gordon Macdonald is suspected of being behind the production of three propaganda videos for the Atomic Weapons Division, aimed specifically at recruiting individuals. He would also be behind several hateful montages. Photo provided by RCMP
“These videos have been widely circulated, even internationally. It is difficult to predict the scale and number of people reached, but it is important,” said David Beaudoin.
“The investigation failed to establish that this group had any plan of imminent action that could directly endanger public safety. […] The threat has been contained. But we ask for public vigilance when it comes to radicalization processes,” however, the RCMP inspector stressed.
Note that a second person arrested in connection with this investigation in Kingsey Falls, Quebec could later face charges, including terrorism charges.
Who is Patrick Gordon Macdonald?
- 26 years old, residing in Ottawa, Ontario
- Known to authorities as the “dark alien”.
- Major creator of Atomic Weapons Division propaganda graphics
- Would have produced a hate video released in October 2019, the images of which were taken in Saint-Ferdinand in Centre-du-Québec
- According to our information, he would have ties to individuals in Canada and abroad who have been convicted of terrorism or hate crimes.
What is the Nuclear Weapons Division?
According to our information, the weapons used in a propaganda video filmed in Quebec in October 2019 are real weapons. Photo provided by RCMP
- A group formed in 2015 that has been classified as a terrorist organization in Canada since 2021
- It is present in Canada, the United States and Europe
- It promotes violence and methods of terrorist acts
- The target group are racial, ethnic and religious groups
- Its members are considered neo-Nazi accelerationists who believe that society is so corrupt that they want to destroy it in order to rebuild it according to their white-dominated ideal.
- He is credited with murders in the United States and hate crimes against minorities such as the Jewish community
- This group is said to have recruited several veterans and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The latter would train the organization’s members in the use of firearms and hand-to-hand combat.