The fédération des gardes paroissiales is a federation founded in 1949 which group together uniformed catholic organisations from parishes mostly in quebec but also in the french speaking parts of new brunswick and ontario. Despite the uniform of the gardes paroissiales ("parish guards"), the martial aspect of the units is strictly symbolic as they do not carry weapons or engage in security type activities. The federation had at its peak tens of thousands of members but has now dwindled to just below one thousand spread over 37 units (some were amalgamated due to low membership).