Austria’s far-right white nationalist, Martin Sellner, barred from the U.K. for promoting extremist views, hopes for Canada entry approval before his scheduled appearance at a Hamilton conference advocating for “remigration.” Sellner, banned from the U.K. in 2019 due to security concerns, also had his U.S. travel permit revoked after it was revealed that the Christchurch mosque shooter donated to him. German authorities imposed a three-year entry ban on Sellner in 2024 following nationalist-related protests.
Sellner’s admission to Canada remains uncertain due to privacy laws. Officials stated that adherence to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is mandatory for entry. Concerns about Sellner’s potential admission arise from his association with extremist activities and groups.
Hamilton-based anti-racism scholar, Ameil Joseph, emphasized the need for Canada to consider restricting Sellner’s access following similar actions by other countries. He suggested that Sellner could express his views online without physically attending the conference. Hamilton Mayor, Andrea Horwath, took a stance against the Dominion Society and ensured that city venues would not be rented to the group.
The Dominion Society of Canada, known for its nationalist stance, promotes the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, denouncing immigration and advocating for mass deportations. Joseph highlighted the danger of such groups exploiting economic insecurities to further their extremist ideologies. Despite pushback from Dominion Society Chair Daniel Tyrie, concerns persist about the organization’s promotion of divisive and discriminatory views.
Experts warn about the dangerous rhetoric employed by white nationalist groups and urge vigilance against their attempts to infiltrate mainstream discourse. The Dominion Society’s tactics of leveraging economic anxieties to advance their agenda highlight the need for continued scrutiny and proactive measures to counter extremist narratives.