On January 10, 2026, a “Canada First” rally against mass immigration at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto descended into violence as counter-protesters, including self-identified Antifa activists, confronted the group. What began as a peaceful demonstration calling for stricter immigration policies quickly escalated, with eggs, urine-filled bags, smoke bombs, and other projectiles thrown at police and rally attendees. Toronto police reported that officers faced assaults while attempting to maintain order, leading to arrests exclusively from the counter-protester side.
According to the Toronto Police Service (TPS) news release issued on January 11, 2026, nine individuals were initially arrested during the demonstration in the Queen Street West and Bay Street area. After further investigation, one person was released unconditionally with no charges, resulting in eight arrests and a total of 29 charges laid. Three of those arrested faced charges specifically for assaulting police officers, highlighting the “volatile” nature of the event as described by police and the Toronto Police Association.
The TPS bulletin detailed the allegations: Participants engaged in disturbances, assaulted other individuals, became combative, and assaulted officers when police provided directions to keep the peace. No serious injuries were reported, but the behaviour was deemed “completely unacceptable and disgusting” by authorities.
List of Arrested Individuals and Charges
The Toronto Police Service publicly identified the eight individuals arrested and charged in their news release (available on the TPS website). They appeared for initial court proceedings at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on January 11, 2026, with subsequent appearances scheduled at the Ontario Court of Justice (10 Armoury Street) in February 2026. Here is the list as released, including names, ages (where specified in reports), residences, charges, and court dates:
Mahnoor Mohyuddin, 25, of Milton:
- Assault Peace Officer with a Weapon
- Throwing an Explosive at a Person with the Intent to Cause Bodily Harm
- Carry Concealed Weapon
- Weapons Dangerous
- Common Nuisance/Endanger Lives or Safety of the Public
- Disguise with Intent
- Member of an Unlawful Assembly While Masked
Jennifer Vong, 35, of Toronto:
- Assault Peace Officer with a Weapon
- Throw an Explosive at a Person with the Intent to Cause Bodily Harm
- Carry Concealed Weapon
- Weapons Dangerous
- Common Nuisance/Endanger Lives or Safety of the Public
- Disguise with Intent
- Member of an Unlawful Assembly While Masked
Kyle Stephens, 35, of Toronto:
- Theft Under
- Mischief Under
- Member of an Unlawful Assembly
Woodrow Fraser-Boychuk, 31, of Toronto:
- Obstruct Peace Officer
- Disguise with Intent
- Member of an Unlawful Assembly
Abe Berglas, 23, of Ottawa:
- Obstruct Peace Officer
- Disguise with Intent
- Unlawful Assembly
Darcy Belanger, 50, of Toronto:
- Obstruct Peace Officer
- Member of an Unlawful Assembly
Bryn Williams, 24, of Toronto:
- Assault
- Member of an Unlawful Assembly
Charles Kaakee, 27, of Toronto:
- Assault Peace Officer
- Member of an Unlawful Assembly
(Note: While TPS listed all eight with full details, including names in their release, some media outlets, like CBC and CityNews, highlighted specific names such as Mahnoor Mohyuddin and Jennifer Vong in early reporting on bail appearances. The charges reflect a range of offences, from multiple counts of assault on officers to general disturbances, mischief, and weapon possession. Court dates were set for initial appearances or bail hearings, with some consolidated to February 26 in certain reports.)
“Officers were reportedly punched, pelted with eggs, targeted with bags believed to contain urine, and hit with smoke bombs.“
Footage from the scene shows counter-protesters blocking the rally’s march, leading to physical altercations. Police formed lines to separate the groups, but officers were reportedly punched, pelted with eggs, targeted with bags believed to contain urine, and hit with smoke bombs. One video captures a counter-protester attempting to incite violence, with shouts of “Go home, Nazi” echoing as the groups clashed. Social media posts from the day describe the counter-protesters as “aggressive” and “violent,” with some calling for Antifa to be designated a terrorist organization.
This wasn’t the first such confrontation. Similar events in September 2025, including a Canada First rally at Christie Pits Park on September 13, saw heavy counter-protests with arrests and accusations of Antifa aggression. That rally occurred just days after the high-profile murder of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025.
Gisela McKay: CBC’s Controversial “Expert”
In the aftermath, CBC News interviewed Gisela McKay, presenting her as a “legal observer” who described the police response as “heavy-handed.” McKay recounted the events, claiming officers declared the assembly unlawful without justification and used excessive force. However, her role has drawn scrutiny: McKay is the de facto leader of the “Orange Hats,” a group of activist observers tied to Toronto’s protest circuit, often aligned with Antifa causes.
Independent journalist Caryma Sa’d documented McKay arriving with other counter-protesters and actively participating, including screeching chants like “Cops and Klan go hand in hand!” in the background of videos. Sa’d’s footage shows McKay and her group agitating rather than neutrally observing, with one Orange Hat member shoving a phone at police while making insults. Critics argue CBC’s choice of McKay as an “expert witness” biases coverage, ignoring her history of anti-police activism and ties to groups like the Movement Defence Committee.
McKay’s past includes an incident at the September 13, 2025, rally—just three days after Kirk’s murder—videos captured her in heated confrontations, screaming profanities like “fuck you fascist,” calling opponents “cunts,” and suggesting they “take one to the neck.” These outbursts, shared on X and Instagram, have fueled accusations that McKay embodies the very extremism she claims to oppose.
Broader Implications
The January 10 incident highlights ongoing tensions in Canadian politics over immigration. Canada First supporters argue mass migration exacerbates economic pressures, while counter-protesters label them “far-right” or “white nationalist.” With arrests limited to one side and 29 charges stemming largely from assaults on police, some are calling for greater scrutiny of Antifa and similar groups.
McKay’s dual role as activist and media source raises questions about journalistic ethics. If media outlets continue featuring biased “experts,” it could erode public trust and influence future discussions on conflicts of interest in protest coverage. Legal experts note that while “legal observers” provide valuable oversight, their activism can blur lines, potentially leading to calls for clearer guidelines.
As Toronto braces for more rallies, the fallout from January 10—and the detailed TPS bulletin naming those arrested—underscores the risks of polarized discourse turning violent. With global events like Kirk’s murder still in memory, these events serve as a stark reminder of how quickly protests can escalate.