Hamilton’s mayor has reached out to local businesses, urging them to be cautious of an anti-immigration organization promoting an upcoming conference in the region. Andrea Horwath emphasized the importance for venues to fully understand the organization and event’s purpose before deciding to host it. She highlighted the city’s diversity and expressed concern over the Dominion Society of Canada, which advocates for “remigration,” or the deportation of immigrants to their home countries. Horwath stressed the values of inclusion, respect, and ensuring a sense of belonging for all individuals in Hamilton.
Several Hamilton groups, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) and Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, jointly penned an open letter on August 4, urging businesses and institutions not to rent space to the Dominion Society. They called on elected officials to condemn the group and requested a commitment to policies that do not contribute to the marginalization of immigrants and racialized communities in Hamilton.
HARRC has also released a guide to assist venues in avoiding unintentionally renting to hate-promoting groups. The organization cited cases where extremist groups like Diagolon and Second Sons secured spaces in community halls and gyms without the owners realizing their true intentions.
The Dominion Society of Canada, a self-proclaimed nationalist group, endorses the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, alleging that white people are being replaced by racialized individuals. The organization advocates for mass deportations, including temporary foreign workers, permanent residents, and even Canadian-born individuals not of Canadian citizenship.
Barbara Perry, from the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, labeled Dominion Society’s arguments as inherently racist and xenophobic. The Canadian Anti-Hate Network has identified the Dominion Society as part of a growing white-nationalist movement in Canada.
In response to concerns raised by community members, the Hamilton police are devising a plan to address any potential risks, disruptions, or criminal activities associated with the upcoming DomCon 2026 event. They acknowledge the fear and uncertainty the event’s promotion may evoke and assure the community of a visible and appropriate police presence to maintain public safety.
Businesses like Pring Guesthouse have expressed support for the mayor’s warning, affirming their commitment to diversity and inclusion and declaring that the Dominion Society is unwelcome on their premises. The Hamilton police encourage reporting of threats, harassment, or hate-motivated incidents, while HARRC provides a community tool for reporting hate incidents.
