A prominent far-right, white nationalist Austrian figure who was permanently blocked from entering the United Kingdom due to his dissemination of extremist ideologies expressed his hope that Canada will allow him entry to attend a scheduled conference in Hamilton later this month. Martin Sellner is being promoted as a featured speaker at an event organized by the Dominion Society on August 29, which advocates for “remigration,” the mass expulsion of immigrants.
Sellner faced a permanent ban from the U.K. in 2019 on security grounds, with a government letter highlighting him as a significant threat to the country’s efforts against extremism. His U.S. travel permit was also revoked the same year after it was revealed that the Christchurch mosque shooter in New Zealand had donated funds to him. The shooter was convicted for the deadly attack in March 2019.
In 2024, German authorities imposed a three-year entry ban on Sellner following protests sparked by a nationalist gathering. Canadian officials, citing privacy laws, declined to confirm whether Sellner would be granted entry, stating that all visitors must meet the admissibility criteria outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Reasons for inadmissibility include involvement in violence, terrorism, espionage, or affiliation with organized crime.
Sellner responded to an announcement by the Dominion Society promoting his appearance at the conference, expressing his desire to be allowed entry. Ameil Joseph, an anti-racism scholar based in Hamilton, suggested that if other countries have restricted Sellner, Canada should consider similar actions.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath informed venue owners about the Dominion Society’s beliefs to help them make informed booking decisions. She emphasized that hate, racism, and discrimination have no place in Hamilton and declared that the city would not rent any space to the Dominion Society.
The Dominion Society’s website promotes the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, claiming that white populations are being replaced by racialized individuals. The group advocates for mass deportations, including of temporary foreign workers, permanent residents, and even those born in Canada to non-Canadian parents.
Daniel Tyrie, chair of the Dominion Society, defended Sellner’s potential visit, arguing against any attempt to prevent him from entering Canada. He criticized Mayor Horwath’s remarks and emphasized the right of Canadians, regardless of their views, to assemble peacefully and discuss their perspectives for the future.
Experts noted that groups like the Dominion Society exploit economic concerns to push the “great replacement” theory, suggesting that governments are intentionally using immigration to diminish the political influence of white populations. Raqib Naik, from the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, highlighted how anxieties about housing, job markets, and affordability are manipulated by white supremacists to attract individuals to their ideologies.
Overall, Sellner’s potential entry into Canada for the conference has sparked debates on immigration, extremism, and freedom of expression, raising concerns among anti-racism advocates and officials in Hamilton.
