Proud Boys Financing using Canadian Financial Service

(Counter) Terrorist Financing

In February 2021, the Canadian government listed the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code. Despite this listing, a website associated with the group continues to operate and is accessible where people, including from Canadian IP addresses, can purchase merchandise and make donations to the group. Merchandise sales and donations are critical aspects of Proud Boys’ financing and remains a viable source of funds for the group.

Update: As of 11 July 2022, the website in question appears to have been suspended by the service provider. 

The Proud Boys organization and local chapters raise funds in a number of ways such as crowdfunding (usually for specific events or issues), through “charitable” donations (they are not a registered charity), and from merchandising on their website, 1776[dot]shop, which is owned and administered by Enrique Tarrio.    

As of early June 2021, the website was active and fully accessible from Canada, despite the listing of the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity. In fact, it appeared to be possible to purchase merchandise from the website from a Canadian IP address. (I could not confirm the transaction, however, as doing so could run afoul of Canada’s terrorist financing laws.)