Hamilton’s mayor has reached out to local businesses, cautioning them about an anti-immigration organization advertising a conference in the vicinity. Andrea Horwath emphasized the importance of venues having clear knowledge about the group and event’s purpose before deciding whether to host it. She expressed pride in leading a diverse city and highlighted concerns about Dominion Society of Canada, which is promoting an event named DomCon 2026 and advocating for “remigration,” the deportation of immigrants to their home countries.
The mayor stressed the significance of upholding values such as inclusion, respect, and 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, have urged businesses and institutions not to rent spaces to Dominion Society. They called on elected officials to condemn the group and commit to policies that do not contribute to the scapegoating of immigrants and racialized communities in the region.
HARRC has also released a guide with tips to help venues avoid inadvertently renting to hate-promoting groups. Recent incidents involving extremist groups securing spaces at community halls and gyms without the owners’ full awareness have underscored the need for vigilance. Dominion Society’s website propagates the great replacement conspiracy theory, claiming that mass immigration is causing chaos and advocating for the mass deportation of various groups, including Canadian-born individuals.
Barbara Perry, director of the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, criticized Dominion Society’s arguments as inherently racist and xenophobic. The Canadian Anti-Hate Network has identified Dominion Society as part of a growing white-nationalist movement in Canada. While Dominion Society denies being a hate group and asserts its focus on promoting Canadian heritage and identity, concerns remain regarding their messaging and activities.
Mayor Horwath clarified that she is not requesting venues to act against their policies but to be informed about Dominion Society’s mandate and event nature when considering bookings associated with the organization. The mayor’s office did not disclose the exact number of businesses that received the letter but emphasized the city’s stance on not renting city facilities to the organization.
Local businesses, like Pring Guesthouse, have expressed appreciation for the mayor’s alert and affirmed their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Hamilton police are developing a response plan to address any risks or criminal activities linked to DomCon 2026. They acknowledge the potential fear and uncertainty caused by the event’s promotion and encourage reporting of threats or hate-motivated acts. HARRC provides a community tool for reporting hate incidents, fostering a collaborative effort to address such issues.
