A prominent Austrian far-right figure, known for his white nationalist views, who has been permanently barred from the United Kingdom due to promoting extremist ideologies, expressed his desire for Canada to allow his entry for an upcoming conference in Hamilton. Martin Sellner is anticipated to be a featured speaker at an event organized by the Dominion Society on August 29, advocating for “remigration,” which focuses on the mass expulsion of immigrants.
Sellner faced a permanent ban from the U.K. in 2019 on security grounds, with government documents highlighting him as a significant threat to efforts against extremism. His U.S. travel permit was also revoked in the same year after it was revealed that the perpetrator of the Christchurch mosque attacks had made a donation to him. Additionally, German authorities imposed a three-year entry ban on Sellner in 2024 following protests triggered by a nationalist gathering.
Canadian officials, citing privacy regulations, declined to disclose whether Sellner would be allowed into the country. They emphasized that individuals must meet the admissibility criteria outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which includes factors like involvement in violence, terrorism, or organized crime groups.
In response to promotional content by the Dominion Society, Sellner expressed his anticipation of being permitted entry to Canada. Ameil Joseph, an anti-racism scholar based in Hamilton, suggested that since Sellner’s access has been restricted in other nations, Canada should consider similar actions.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath disclosed that the city will not rent any facilities to the Dominion Society, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward hate, racism, or discrimination. The Dominion Society’s website, promoting nationalist ideals, endorses the “great replacement” conspiracy theory and advocates for the mass deportation of various groups, including temporary foreign workers and non-Canadian citizens born in Canada.
Experts highlighted that groups like the Dominion Society exploit economic concerns to advance their agendas, drawing individuals towards divisive theories about demographic changes. They underscored the need to address underlying anxieties to prevent radicalization and polarization within society.
