Hamilton’s mayor has reached out to local businesses, advising them to be cautious of an anti-immigration group promoting an upcoming conference in the area. In a letter, Andrea Horwath emphasized the importance of venues having full knowledge about the organization and event purpose before deciding to host it. She expressed pride in leading a diverse city and highlighted concerns about the Dominion Society of Canada, which is backing an event named DomCon 2026, known for advocating “remigration” – the deportation of immigrants to their home countries.
Horwath stressed the significance of upholding values such as inclusion, respect, and ensuring a sense of belonging for everyone in Hamilton. Several Hamilton groups, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) and Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, jointly signed an open letter urging businesses and institutions to refrain from renting space to the Dominion Society. They called on elected officials to denounce the group and commit to policies that do not contribute to the rising scapegoating of immigrants and racialized communities in Hamilton.
HARRC also released a guide with tips to help venues avoid inadvertently renting to hate-promoting groups. Recent incidents, as highlighted by HARRC director Lyndon George in an interview with CBC Hamilton, unveiled instances where extremist groups like Diagolon and Second Sons secured space at community halls and gyms, with unaware owners falling victim to the groups’ hidden intentions.
The Dominion Society of Canada’s website, a self-proclaimed nationalist group, propagates the great replacement conspiracy theory, alleging that white individuals are being replaced by racialized populations. The group advocates for mass deportations, targeting various groups including temporary foreign workers, permanent residents, and even Canadian-born individuals not of Canadian citizenship.
Barbara Perry, the director of the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, criticized the Dominion Society’s rhetoric as inherently racist and xenophobic. Horwath’s communication referenced the Canadian Anti-Hate Network’s identification of Dominion Society as part of a growing white-nationalist movement in Canada.
Although Dominion Society denied being a hate group and claimed to focus on immigration reform and Canadian identity preservation, concerns remain high. Horwath clarified that she is not pushing venues to act beyond their policies but emphasized the importance of understanding Dominion Society’s agenda before any booking.
The mayor’s office did not disclose the exact number of businesses receiving the warning letters. Horwath affirmed that the city would not offer its facilities to the organization, with bylaw staff monitoring related materials on public property. Hamilton police are strategizing to address any potential risks or criminal activities associated with the DomCon 2026 event, acknowledging the community’s concerns and ensuring a visible presence to enforce lawful actions. Residents are encouraged to report any threatening or hate-driven incidents, with community resources like HARRC available for support.