Supreme Court of Canada Upholds Harassment Conviction Against Former Far-Right Leader
The Supreme Court of Canada has definitively dismissed an appeal attempt by Travis Patron, the former leader of a far-right political party, regarding his conviction for criminal harassment. The nation's highest court delivered its brief decision on February 19, 2026, refusing to reconsider the matter and effectively upholding the lower court's rulings.
Details of the Criminal Harassment Case
Travis Patron was convicted by a Saskatchewan jury in January 2024 on charges of criminal harassment and breaching probation terms from a previous sentence. The incident that led to these charges occurred when Patron followed an interracial couple around a Saskatoon mall. During this encounter, he repeatedly asked the man, "Why are you walking around with our women if you weren't born in Canada?"
The man involved was identified as an off-duty police officer, whom Patron reportedly knew from a prior court case. Following his conviction, Patron was sentenced to 200 days in custody.
Appeal Process and Supreme Court Decision
Patron initially appealed his conviction to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, but that appeal was unanimously dismissed in September 2024. Undeterred, he then sought to bring the matter before the Supreme Court of Canada.
The Supreme Court's decision to reject Patron's application for leave to appeal was rendered without providing specific reasons, which is standard procedure when the court declines to hear a case. This rejection marks the final legal avenue for Patron to challenge his conviction and sentence.
Background of Travis Patron
Travis Patron has accumulated multiple criminal convictions beyond the harassment and probation breach charges. His criminal record includes a conviction for promoting hatred against Jewish people. Patron once served as the leader of the federal Canadian Nationalist Party, which is no longer registered with Elections Canada as a political entity.
The Supreme Court's decision reinforces the legal consequences for Patron's actions and represents the culmination of a judicial process that began with the initial incident at the Saskatoon mall.
