A white nationalist figure from Austria, known for far-right views and banned from the U.K., expressed hope that Canada would allow his entry for an upcoming conference in Hamilton. Martin Sellner is slated to be a keynote speaker at a Dominion Society event advocating for “remigration,” which involves mass immigrant deportation. Sellner faced a permanent U.K. ban in 2019 due to security concerns related to promoting extremist ideologies.
Sellner’s U.S. travel permit was also revoked in 2019 when it was revealed that the Christchurch mosque shooter had donated money to him. This shooter was responsible for the tragic events in New Zealand in March 2019. Additionally, Sellner was prohibited from entering Germany in 2024 following nationalist-related incidents that led to significant protests.
Canadian authorities declined to confirm if Sellner would be allowed entry into Canada, citing privacy regulations. Any individual entering the country must adhere to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act’s admissibility criteria, which includes factors like involvement in violence or terrorism, espionage, or affiliation with organized crime groups.
Ameil Joseph, an anti-racism scholar based in Hamilton, suggested that since other nations have restricted Sellner’s access, Canada should consider doing the same. Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has contacted local venue owners to inform them about the Dominion Society’s beliefs, emphasizing that there is no room for hate, racism, or discrimination in the city.
The Dominion Society, a self-proclaimed nationalist group, endorses the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, claiming that white individuals are being replaced by racialized populations. Their agenda includes advocating for the mass deportation of individuals such as temporary foreign workers, permanent residents, and even Canadian-born individuals to non-Canadian citizen parents.
Experts warn that white supremacists exploit economic insecurities to push their ideologies. The Dominion Society’s chair defended Sellner’s potential visit to Canada, denouncing any attempt to prevent it as political persecution. The city of Hamilton has faced challenges with white nationalist groups organizing in the area, with concerns raised about the group’s tactics in mainstreaming extremist ideas.
Raqib Naik, from the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, highlighted how the concept of remigration has gained traction in the U.S., citing examples of government officials discussing large-scale population movements. The term “remigration” has been used by the U.S. State Department in its migration policies, aiming to foster the return of specific populations. Naik emphasized that individuals drawn to these movements often have genuine economic concerns that white supremacists exploit.