A white nationalist from Austria, known for promoting extremist ideologies, expressed hopes that he would be allowed entry into Canada for an upcoming conference in Hamilton. Martin Sellner, who was permanently banned from the U.K. in 2019 for security reasons, is scheduled to speak at a conference organized by the Dominion Society on August 29. The Dominion Society advocates for “remigration,” which involves the mass deportation of immigrants.
Sellner had his U.S. travel permit revoked in 2019 after it was revealed that the Christchurch mosque shooter in New Zealand had donated money to him. The shooter was responsible for the deaths of 51 people and the attempted murder of 40 others in a terrorist attack in March 2019. In 2024, German authorities imposed a three-year entry ban on Sellner following protests triggered by a nationalist meeting.
Canadian government officials have not confirmed whether Sellner will be permitted entry into the country. A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Diab stated that individuals must meet the admissibility requirements outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to enter Canada. Reasons for inadmissibility include involvement in violence or terrorism, espionage, or affiliation with organized crime groups.
Ameil Joseph, an anti-racism scholar based in Hamilton, suggested that if other nations have restricted Sellner’s access, Canada should also consider doing the same. Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has been informing venue owners in the area about the Dominion Society’s views to help them make informed decisions about bookings. The Dominion Society, labeled a white nationalist group, advocates for the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, asserting that white individuals are being replaced by racialized groups.
Sellner, responding to promotion by the Dominion Society, indicated his desire to attend the conference in Hamilton. Joseph emphasized that individuals like Sellner could express their views online without physically coming to Hamilton, a city already grappling with a growing white nationalist presence. Daniel Tyrie, Chair of the Dominion Society, defended Sellner’s potential visit to Canada, calling any attempt to block him an act of political persecution.
The Dominion Society’s website promotes a nationalist agenda that includes the mass deportation of various groups, including temporary foreign workers, permanent residents, and individuals born in Canada to non-Canadian citizens. The organization’s rhetoric, aiming to exploit economic anxieties, aligns with the “great replacement” theory, suggesting deliberate government actions to diminish the political influence of white people.