Hamilton police have reported that a location that had agreed to host an anti-immigration group’s national conference this week has rescinded the booking. The Dominion Society of Canada had announced its DomCon conference, set to feature speakers from Canada and around the world, scheduled for August 29 in the Hamilton area. The group had confirmed on August 13 that a venue in Hamilton had been secured.
Authorities did not disclose further details about the venue, including its specific location or the reasons behind the cancellation. In response to concerns raised by a coalition of Hamilton organizations, such as the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC), warning against hosting the event, the venue decided to cancel. HARRC had also created a guide to assist in identifying white nationalist groups to prevent inadvertent bookings.
Hamilton’s mayor had also issued a letter cautioning venues and businesses about the potential event. Despite efforts by the Dominion Society to secure an alternate venue under various names, HARRC urged venue owners to carefully vet bookings and inquiries for the upcoming event.
Regarding the cancellation, Director Lyndon George of HARRC refrained from disclosing more information to protect the venue’s privacy. The Dominion Society, however, affirmed that its event, known as DOMCON26, is proceeding as planned despite opposition from various groups and individuals.
The group’s co-founder and chair, Daniel Tyrie, declared in an email that the event in the Hamilton area is already sold out. Dominion Society, founded in 2025 by Tyrie, is a registered non-profit with its main office located in Ottawa. The organization advocates for immigration reform emphasizing “remigration,” the process of deporting immigrants back to their home countries, with plans to deport millions of individuals, including temporary workers and non-Canadian citizens born in Canada.
Critics have denounced Dominion Society, alleging that the group promotes fear and hate. However, Tyrie denied these accusations, stating that the group encompasses members from diverse political backgrounds. Reports from hate and extremism experts have linked Dominion Society to racist ideologies and associations with other extreme white nationalist groups.
The Dominion Society has faced scrutiny for hosting a conference with speakers like Austrian nationalist Martin Sellner, banned from the U.K. The group has refrained from disclosing the event’s location to protect attendees from potential opposition.
In light of the ongoing situation, community organizations like B’nai Brith Canada have urged federal authorities to prevent foreign extremists from attending the conference. They have reached out to the Canada Border Services Agency and local law enforcement to address the issue.
When approached for comment, the Canada Border Services Agency clarified that individuals cannot be denied entry based solely on personal beliefs but may face refusal on security grounds. Hamilton Police Service, when questioned about security arrangements and operational plans for the event, declined to provide specific details, stating that they are collaborating with partners but will not disclose operational strategies publicly.