Hamilton’s mayor has reached out to local businesses, urging vigilance regarding an anti-immigration group promoting an upcoming conference in the vicinity. Andrea Horwath emphasized the importance of venues being well-informed 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 on August 29 and advocates for “remigration,” a concept involving the deportation of immigrants to their home countries.
Stressing the values of inclusion and respect, Horwath emphasized the need for the community to uphold these principles, ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging in Hamilton. Several local groups, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) and Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, collaborated on an open letter on August 4, advising businesses and institutions against renting space to the Dominion Society. They called upon elected officials to denounce the group and commit to policies that do not contribute to the marginalization of immigrants and racialized communities.
In response to recent incidents where extremist groups secured venues without owners’ knowledge of their intentions, HARRC published a guide to assist venues in avoiding inadvertently renting to hate-promoting groups. The Dominion Society’s website promotes the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, claiming that Canada is becoming less diverse and more “Indian” due to mass immigration, leading to chaos. The group advocates for the mass deportation of various individuals, including temporary foreign workers, permanent residents, and even Canadian-born individuals to non-Canadian citizens.
Barbara Perry, the director of the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, condemned the Dominion Society’s arguments as inherently racist and xenophobic, attributing the country’s issues to immigrants. Identified as part of a growing white-nationalist movement by the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, the Dominion Society has defended itself as an advocacy group focused on immigration reform and preserving Canadian heritage and identity.
While the exact number of businesses receiving the mayor’s letter remains unspecified, Horwath clarified that she contacted venues that might consider hosting the advertised event. The city has decided not to rent its facilities to the organization, with bylaw staff monitoring related event materials on public property. In response to the mayor’s warning, Pring Guesthouse, an immigrant- and queer-owned business, affirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion, declaring that the Dominion Society is unwelcome on its premises.
Hamilton police are formulating a plan to address potential risks, disruptions, or criminal activities associated with DomCon 2026. Acknowledging the concerns raised by the event’s promotion, the police intend to maintain a visible presence and take enforcement action as necessary. Citizens are encouraged to report threats, harassment, or hate-motivated incidents, with HARRC offering a community tool for reporting hate incidents.