Hamilton’s mayor has reached out to local businesses, urging them to be vigilant about an anti-immigration organization promoting an upcoming conference in the area. Andrea Horwath emphasized the importance of venues having clear information about the group and event’s purpose before hosting them. She highlighted the diversity of Hamilton and expressed concerns about the Dominion Society of Canada, the group behind the DomCon 2026 event, which advocates for “remigration,” or the deportation of immigrants back to their home countries.
Several Hamilton organizations, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) and Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, have joined forces in calling on businesses and institutions not to rent space to the Dominion Society. They have also urged elected officials to denounce the group and ensure their policies do not contribute to the scapegoating of immigrants and racialized communities.
HARRC has released a guide to assist venues in avoiding inadvertently renting to hate-promoting groups. In a recent interview, HARRC director Lyndon George highlighted 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’s website propagates the great replacement conspiracy theory, claiming that Canada is becoming “more Indian” due to mass immigration. The group advocates for the mass deportation of various groups, including temporary foreign workers, permanent residents, and even individuals born in Canada to non-Canadian citizens. Experts like Barbara Perry have labeled the group’s arguments as inherently racist and xenophobic.
Horwath’s letter referenced the Canadian Anti-Hate Network identifying the Dominion Society as part of a growing white-nationalist movement in Canada. The Dominion Society has denied being a hate group, describing themselves as an advocacy group focused on immigration reform and the preservation of Canadian heritage and identity.
The mayor clarified that she is not requesting venues to act outside their policies but to be informed about the Dominion Society’s agenda when considering any bookings associated with the organization. Although the exact number of businesses that received the mayor’s letter remains undisclosed, Horwath stated that the city will not be renting or making city facilities available to the Dominion Society, with bylaw staff monitoring related event materials on public property.
Pring Guesthouse, a local business, confirmed receiving the mayor’s warning and publicly declared its commitment to diversity and inclusion, stating that the Dominion Society would never be welcome on their premises. The Hamilton police are developing a plan to address any potential risks or disruptions linked to the DomCon 2026 event and have assured the community of a visible and responsive presence to address any unlawful activities associated with the event. They encourage individuals experiencing threats, harassment, or hate-motivated behavior to report such incidents.
HARRC provides a community-run platform for reporting hate incidents, further emphasizing the community’s collective effort to combat hate and extremism in Hamilton.