City alerts venues over scheduled nationalist conference
The City of Hamilton is notifying local venues about a planned convention in the area hosted by a group that federal and municipal officials identify with Canada’s broader white-nationalist movement.
The organiser, calling itself the Dominion Society, is promoting what it describes as a “nationalist conference” scheduled for Aug. 29. The group’s website advocates for a policy it calls “remigration” — described there as “the return of foreigners to their respective homelands.” The society’s agenda, as published online, also includes calls for a 10-year immigration moratorium, stripping some people of permanent residency and the deportation of an estimated 5 to 9 million people.
Mayor’s office flags group ties to white-nationalist movement
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said in a statement the group has been identified as part of Canada’s broader white-nationalist movement and that city staff have been notifying local venues to explain what the Dominion Society stands for. The notifications are intended to help venue operators make informed decisions about rental requests.
Federal officials have been asked about whether the convention’s advertised speaker, Austrian remigration advocate Martin Sellner, will be permitted to enter Canada. Media reports note Sellner was permanently banned from entering the United Kingdom in 2019 on security grounds. Government officials, citing privacy, declined to say whether he would be admitted to Canada.
“the return of foreigners to their respective homelands”
Local leaders and community organisations say they are monitoring the situation. Hamilton is home to a diverse immigrant population, including long-established communities and more recent arrivals, and the prospect of a conference promoting mass deportations has raised concerns among elected officials and service providers.
- Date: Aug. 29 (advertised)
- Group: Dominion Society (organiser)
- Advertised speaker: Martin Sellner (banned from U.K. in 2019)
- City action: Mayor’s office notifying local venues
What is at issue for Hamilton
Venue operators face practical and reputational choices when groups seek space. Municipal notification does not amount to a ban, but it equips operators with information about an organiser’s public positions and history. That may influence whether a venue proceeds with a booking or seeks to impose conditions.
Public safety, community cohesion and the rights of lawful assembly intersect in these matters. Officials have emphasised they are providing factual information to local venues rather than issuing citywide prohibitions. The federal government’s decision on whether to admit individuals associated with the event — and whether any such travellers will be subject to immigration measures — remains private, according to the officials cited in media reports.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event advertised | Nationalist conference in Hamilton area, Aug. 29 |
| Organiser | Dominion Society |
| Promoted policies | Remigration, 10-year immigration moratorium, deportation of 5–9 million |
| Advertised speaker | Martin Sellner (banned from U.K. in 2019) |
| Municipal response | Mayor’s office notifying local venues |
The mayor’s approach signals a balance between informing the public and respecting legal protections for assembly. For Hamilton’s residents — many of whom are newcomers or have close ties to immigrant communities — the episode underscores tensions around public space, local business decisions and the impact of imported extremist ideas on municipal life.
As the date approaches, venue operators and community groups will be watching for further developments, including any announcements from the federal government about travel authorizations or decisions affecting speakers linked with the event.
