Hamilton’s mayor has reached out to local businesses, urging them to be cautious of an anti-immigration organization advertising an upcoming conference in the vicinity. Andrea Horwath emphasized the importance of venues being well-informed about the group and event’s intentions before agreeing to host them. The organization in question, Dominion Society of Canada, is promoting an event named DomCon 2026, advocating for “remigration,” which involves deporting immigrants to their countries of origin. Horwath highlighted the city’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, asserting that values such as respect and belonging are paramount in Hamilton.
Several Hamilton groups, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) and Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, joined forces in a signed open letter to dissuade businesses and institutions from renting space to Dominion Society. They called on elected officials to condemn the group and ensure their policies do not contribute to the marginalization of immigrants and racialized communities. HARRC also released a guide to assist venues in avoiding unintentionally renting to hate-promoting groups.
HARRC director Lyndon George, in an interview with CBC Hamilton, referenced instances where extremist groups like Diagolon and Second Sons secured spaces in community halls and gyms, unbeknownst to the owners about the groups’ true intentions. The Dominion Society website, a self-proclaimed nationalist group, propagates the great replacement conspiracy theory, claiming that mass immigration is causing turmoil by altering the demographic composition of Canada.
Barbara Perry, from the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, criticized Dominion Society’s rhetoric as inherently racist and xenophobic for blaming immigrants for the country’s issues. Horwath mentioned that the Canadian Anti-Hate Network has identified Dominion Society as part of the escalating white-nationalist movement in Canada. The organization denied being a hate group, asserting its focus on advocating for Canadian heritage and identity through immigration reform.
The mayor clarified that she did not request venues to act beyond their policies but advised them to consider Dominion Society’s mission and event nature before any bookings. Although the exact number of businesses receiving the mayor’s letter remains undisclosed, Horwath confirmed reaching out to venues potentially hosting the advertised event. The city will not provide facilities to the organization, with bylaw staff monitoring related event materials on public property.
Pring Guesthouse, a local hostel, confirmed receiving the mayor’s warning and expressed gratitude for the city’s proactive stance. The business emphasized its commitment to diversity and inclusion, stating that Dominion Society’s ideologies are unwelcome on its premises. Hamilton police are devising a plan to address any risks associated with DomCon 2026, acknowledging community concerns and committing to maintaining a visible presence to ensure public safety. Citizens are encouraged to report any threats, harassment, or hate-related incidents to the police or HARRC’s community-run reporting tool.