Austria’s far-right, white nationalist figure, Martin Sellner, who has faced a permanent ban from the United Kingdom for promoting extremist ideologies, expressed his hope to gain entry into Canada for an upcoming conference in Hamilton. Sellner is slated to be a keynote speaker at a Dominion Society event on August 29, advocating for “remigration,” the mass expulsion of immigrants.
Sellner’s access to the U.K. was barred in 2019 due to security concerns, with a government letter highlighting his threat to counter-extremism efforts. His U.S. travel permit was also revoked in 2019 after it was revealed that the Christchurch mosque shooter donated funds to him. In 2024, German authorities imposed a three-year entry ban on Sellner following nationalist meetings that sparked significant protests.
While Canadian officials have not disclosed Sellner’s admissibility status, they emphasized that individuals must meet Immigration and Refugee Protection Act requirements to enter Canada. Reasons for inadmissibility include involvement in violence, terrorism, espionage, or organized crime activities.
Ameil Joseph, an anti-racism scholar based in Hamilton, suggested that if Sellner faces restrictions in other countries, Canada should consider similar actions. Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath informed venue owners about the Dominion Society’s beliefs to guide their booking decisions, emphasizing the city’s stance against hate, racism, and discrimination.
The Dominion Society of Canada advocates for the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, criticizing mass immigration and endorsing mass deportations of various groups. Joseph highlighted the group’s white nationalist undertones and cautioned against their rhetoric that targets specific ethnicities for deportation.
Daniel Tyrie, Dominion Society chair, defended Sellner’s potential visit to Canada, labeling any hindrance as political persecution. He criticized Mayor Horwath’s remarks as inappropriate and divisive. While acknowledging differing views, Tyrie emphasized the right to peaceful assembly and dialogue.
Experts noted that white supremacist groups exploit economic anxieties to push their agendas, with the Dominion Society aligning with mainstream discourse to cloak extremist ideologies. They cited historical instances where hate groups transitioned into political entities, aiming to influence policy through sanitized messaging.
Raqib Naik from the Center for the Study of Organized Hate highlighted how remigration concepts have gained traction globally, with implications for non-white populations. The U.S. State Department’s migration policy focuses on fostering remigration rather than managing migration, reflecting a shift in migration narratives.
Anxieties around housing, job markets, and affordability are exploited by white supremacist groups to attract followers, leveraging genuine concerns to push discriminatory agendas. Naik emphasized the manipulation of economic uncertainties to promote ideas of demographic replacement, a tactic used by extremist groups to advance their ideologies.