Hamilton’s mayor has issued letters to local businesses, urging them to stay alert to an anti-immigration group promoting a conference in the area. Andrea Horwath emphasized the importance of venues having clear information about the organization and event purpose before deciding to host them. She highlighted the city’s diversity, expressing pride in the values of inclusion and respect that Hamilton upholds.
Several Hamilton organizations, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) and Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, joined in an open letter on August 4, advising businesses and institutions against renting space to the Dominion Society. They called on elected officials to condemn the group and ensure their policies do not contribute to scapegoating immigrants and racialized communities.
HARRC also released a guide to assist venues in avoiding inadvertently renting to hate-promoting groups. The director of HARRC, Lyndon George, referenced cases where extremist groups like Diagolon and Second Sons secured spaces at community halls and gyms without the owners being aware of their true intentions.
The Dominion Society of Canada, a self-proclaimed nationalist group, endorses the great replacement conspiracy theory, claiming that mass immigration is causing chaos by replacing white people with racialized individuals. The group advocates for mass deportation, targeting various categories of individuals, including temporary foreign workers and permanent residents.
Barbara Perry, from the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, criticized the Dominion Society’s arguments as inherently racist and xenophobic. Horwath highlighted that the Canadian Anti-Hate Network has identified the Dominion Society as part of a growing white-nationalist movement in Canada.
In an email response, a Dominion Society spokesperson clarified that they are not a hate group but an advocacy group focused on immigration reform. The group keeps the location of their event, DomCon, confidential to protect their members from potential backlash.
Mayor Horwath emphasized that venues should be informed about the Dominion Society’s agenda and event nature before considering any bookings connected to the organization. The total number of businesses that received the mayor’s letter remains unspecified, but Horwath affirmed that city facilities would not be made available to the group. Bylaw staff are actively monitoring public property for related event materials.
Local businesses, such as Pring Guesthouse, appreciate the city’s proactive stance against potential threats posed by the Dominion Society. The hostel, which promotes diversity and inclusion, confirmed that the group would never be welcome at their establishment.
Hamilton police are devising a plan to address any risks, disruptions, or criminal activities associated with DomCon 2026. They acknowledge the potential fear and uncertainty caused by the promotion of the event and are committed to maintaining a visible presence to ensure community safety. The police urge individuals to report any threats, harassment, or hate-motivated behavior, with HARRC offering a community tool for reporting hate incidents.