Conference in Hamilton Faces Opposition from Authorities

In Hamilton, Ontario, there’s a tense atmosphere as local authorities scramble to prevent a conference organized by the Dominion Society of Canada, which has attracted the interest of both Canadian nationalists and international remigration advocates.

Despite the ongoing attempts—both public and private—to shut down the event, the society is determined to proceed with their sold-out DomCon 2026 scheduled for Saturday.

‘They could not stop us,’ a representative remarked, emphasizing their commitment.

The bout against the conference has gained traction through a lengthy “anti-hate” campaign, heavily influenced by a report from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network (CAHN), led by Sue Gardner, a figure known for her liberal stance and previous roles at the Wikimedia Foundation and Canada’s state media.

CAHN has equated criticism of immigration, gender ideologies, and LGBT extremism with neo-Nazi sentiment, labeling the DSC as a “white nationalist organization” promoting racial and religious-based deportations.

In contrast, the DSC identifies itself as a “nonpartisan advocacy group” focused on Canadian identity and nationalism. They are openly critical of multiculturalism, asserting that merely filling out forms doesn’t make someone a Canadian. Rather, they claim true Canadians are descended from those who pioneered the land and collaborated with Indigenous peoples.

The group has sparked backlash among leftist circles by expressing concerns regarding “replacement migration” and calling for a ban on immigration and mass deportations.

Daniel Tyrie, the DSC’s founder, noted in a statement that demographic changes represent a critical challenge for Canada today, which politicians and the media often ignore. He stated that the conference aims to raise awareness of remigration as an essential policy remedy.

Earlier this month, the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Center, funded by taxpayers, released a guide aimed at assisting local businesses in blocking events hosted by alleged extremist organizations, specifically mentioning the DSC’s planned gathering.

The center has urged the community—residents, institutions, and political figures—to unite against what they perceive as hate.

Among those supporting the movement to cancel the event is B’nai Brith Canada, which has called on officials to prevent foreign extremists from entering Canada for the conference. Initially slated to speak were individuals like Martin Sellner from the Remigration Institute and Charlie Downes from the Restore Britain organization.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects various freedoms, yet police and government officials appear willing to aid in quashing the DSC’s event.

Aslam Rana, a member of parliament for Hamilton Center, expressed his disdain in an official statement, declaring, “There is no place for hate and white supremacy in Hamilton.” He criticized the conference as representing a racist ideology cloaked as nationalism.

Mayor Andrea Horwath, who has previously run for the position of premier four times, made it clear in a statement that Hamilton will not host the conference in any city facilities and encourages private venues to follow suit. She expressed shared concerns with the Anti-Racism Resource Center and the Hamilton Police Service regarding the event.

The Hamilton Police Service, though not responding to requests for comments, asserted online that the conference’s messaging may be harmful to the community and stated they would work to ensure venues understand the implications of hosting such an event.

In a somewhat controversial move, the police have pushed community members to report any alternative venue bookings for the conference.

When confronted by a local media representative about potential freedoms being infringed, an officer contended, “We’re not infringing; we’re just making venues aware.”

In contrast, lawyer Eva Chipiuk argued that discussions and gatherings about political ideas shouldn’t be policed, suggesting that citizens engaging peacefully and lawfully should not be treated with suspicion.

Josh Dehaas from the Canadian Constitution Foundation echoed similar sentiments, asserting that Charter rights apply to everyone—regardless of whether their views align with those of the police or government officials.

While the Office of Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford has refrained from commenting, Conservative MP Andrew Lawton highlighted there have been no criminal allegations against the DSC, asserting it isn’t right for law enforcement to target venues simply for supporting a lawful event.

As chairman Tyrie noted, despite facing considerable pushback from local politicians and media smear campaigns, the DSC maintains they will not be deterred. “DOMCON26 will proceed as planned. It is essential for Canada’s future,” he concluded.