Hamilton police have reported that a location that had agreed to host an anti-immigration group for its upcoming national conference has now rescinded the booking. The Dominion Society of Canada had initially planned to hold its DomCon conference with Canadian and international speakers on August 29 in the vicinity of Hamilton. However, the venue’s cancellation decision, including the reasons and timing, was not disclosed by the authorities.
Various Hamilton organizations, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC), had advised venues against hosting the event and had created a guide to help identify white nationalist groups before confirming bookings. The Mayor of Hamilton also issued a letter cautioning venues and businesses.
Despite the cancellation, HARRC stated they were aware of continued attempts by the Dominion Society to secure an alternate venue under different names, such as Ridgeway Media, for their event in the Hamilton area this Saturday.
The group’s co-founder and chair, Daniel Tyrie, affirmed that the conference, known as DOMCON26, would proceed as planned despite opposition from media, politicians, and activists. Tyrie mentioned that the event is already sold out.
The Dominion Society, established in 2025 by Tyrie, is a registered non-profit based in Ottawa. The group advocates for Canadian heritage and immigration reform, specifically supporting the deportation of millions of immigrants. Critics argue that the group promotes fear and hate, an accusation Tyrie denies.
Experts have labeled Dominion Society as a racist organization aiming to make Canada predominantly white and blaming immigrants for societal issues. Tyrie stated that the group comprises members from diverse political backgrounds.
The Dominion Society, which has been promoting a conference in the Hamilton area for several months, has faced scrutiny for its association with individuals like Austrian white nationalist Martin Sellner, who is banned from the U.K. The group has refrained from disclosing the event location to protect attendees from potential backlash.
HARRC urged venue owners to verify associations with DomCon and offered assistance to those unknowingly involved with the event. B’nai Brith Canada expressed concerns over foreign extremists attending the conference and called on federal authorities to intervene.
When questioned about potential security measures, both the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Hamilton Police Service declined to provide specific details on operational plans related to DomCon. CBSA mentioned that entry to Canada could be denied on security grounds but not due to personal beliefs or political views.
