Hamilton’s mayor has reached out to local businesses, urging them to be cautious of an anti-immigration group advertising a conference in the vicinity. Andrea Horwath emphasized the importance of venues having a clear understanding of the organization and event’s purpose before deciding to host it. She expressed pride in leading a diverse city and highlighted the Dominion Society of Canada, the group behind the DomCon 2026 event on Aug. 29, advocating for “remigration,” the deportation of immigrants to their home countries.

While acknowledging the freedom of expression, Horwath emphasized the community’s values of inclusion, respect, and ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging in Hamilton. In response to this, several Hamilton groups, including the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) and Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, collaborated on an open letter urging businesses and institutions not to rent space to the Dominion Society. They called on elected officials to denounce the group and ensure their policies do not contribute to the rising scapegoating of immigrants and racialized communities.

HARRC also published a guide to assist venues in avoiding inadvertently renting to hate-promoting groups. The organization’s director, Lyndon George, highlighted instances where extremist groups secured spaces at community halls and gyms, with unsuspecting owners unaware of the groups’ true intentions.

The Dominion Society’s website propagates the great replacement conspiracy theory, claiming that mass immigration is causing chaos and promoting the mass deportation of various groups. Barbara Perry, from the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, labeled the group’s arguments as inherently racist and xenophobic. Horwath’s letter referenced the Canadian Anti-Hate Network’s identification of the Dominion Society as part of a growing white-nationalist movement in Canada.

The Dominion Society defended itself as an advocacy group focusing on immigration reform, not a hate group. The group kept the location of their event confidential to protect members from potential backlash. Horwath clarified that she was not asking venues to act against their policies but to consider Dominion Society’s mandate and event nature when booking any connected activities.

The exact number of businesses receiving the mayor’s letter was not disclosed. However, Horwath confirmed that local venues potentially hosting the advertised event were contacted. The city stated it would not rent its facilities to the organization, and bylaw staff were monitoring related materials on public property.

Hamilton police are devising a plan to address any risks or criminal activities associated with DomCon 2026. They acknowledged the potential fear and uncertainty the event’s promotion might cause and assured the community of a visible and appropriate police presence to address any lawful concerns. Police encouraged reporting any threats, harassment, or hate-motivated behavior, with HARRC offering a community-run tool for reporting hate incidents.