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Don’t Underestimate Quebec Fascists, British Weekly Warns

August 28, 1938
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The New Statesman and Nation, independent liberal magazine, warned in an article today that “it would be a mistake to underestimate” Adrien Arcand, French-Canadian Fascist leader, or his organization, the National Social Christian Party. The writer considered that the development of Arcand’s party had the acquiescence of both the Church and the Quebec Government.

“Admittedly the movement is not Fascist in the ordinary sense,” the article said, “but it contains most of the ingredients of fascism. the vast majority of Canadians want nothing to do with either fascism or Communism, but it would be a mistake to underestimate Arcand and his party. Three big factors in the average French-Canadian’s life are his family, his Church and his politics. If a new political philosophy which has the approval of the Church promises a fuller life for himself and his family then it is only to be expected the movement will grow.”

The article concluded that “always provided he dissociates himself from any taint of Nazism, Adrien Arcand may yet have an important place in Canadian history.”

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