Hamilton’s mayor has penned letters to local businesses, urging caution regarding an anti-immigration group publicizing a conference in the vicinity. Andrea Horwath emphasized the importance of venues having full knowledge of the organization and event purpose before deciding to host it. She expressed pride in leading a diverse city, highlighting concerns over the Dominion Society of Canada promoting an event named DomCon 2026, which advocates for “remigration,” or the deportation of immigrants to their home countries. Horwath stressed the community’s values of inclusion, respect, and ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging in Hamilton.
Several Hamilton organizations, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) and Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, jointly issued an open letter on August 4, cautioning businesses and institutions against renting space to the Dominion Society. They called upon elected officials to denounce the group and requested a commitment to policies that do not contribute to the scapegoating of immigrants and racialized communities, a trend on the rise in Hamilton. As part of their efforts, HARRC published a guide to assist venues in avoiding inadvertently renting to hate-promoting groups.
In a CBC Hamilton interview, HARRC director Lyndon George referenced recent instances where extremist groups like Diagolon and Second Sons, known for welcoming neo-Nazis, secured space at community halls and gyms without the owners being aware of their true intentions.
The Dominion Society of Canada’s website, representing itself as a nationalist group, propagates the great replacement conspiracy theory, alleging a replacement of white people with racialized individuals. The group advocates for mass deportations, including temporary foreign workers, permanent residents, and even Canadian-born individuals who are not citizens.
Barbara Perry, Director of the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, characterized Dominion Society’s arguments as inherently racist and xenophobic, attributing the country’s issues to immigrants. Horwath referenced the Canadian Anti-Hate Network’s identification of Dominion Society as part of a growing white-nationalist movement in Canada.
Horwath clarified that she is not expecting venues to act against their policies but emphasized the importance of being informed about Dominion Society’s mandate and event nature before considering any bookings associated with the organization. The exact number of businesses that received the mayor’s letter remains undisclosed.
Hamilton police are formulating a plan to address any risks, disruptions, or criminal activities linked to DomCon 2026. They acknowledge the potential fear and uncertainty instigated by the event’s promotion, particularly among those targeted by hateful rhetoric. The police aim to maintain a visible and appropriate presence, enforcing regulations where necessary and encourage reporting of threats, harassment, or hate-motivated conduct. HARRC provides a community-run platform for reporting hate incidents.