A white nationalist from Austria, known for far-right ideologies, has expressed his desire to enter Canada for a conference in Hamilton despite being permanently banned from the UK. Martin Sellner, scheduled to speak at a Dominion Society event on August 29, was prohibited from entering the UK in 2019 due to security concerns. This ban was enforced as he was deemed a serious threat to the UK’s efforts against extremism.
Sellner also faced travel permit cancellations in the US in 2019 after it was discovered that the Christchurch mosque shooter had donated funds to him. Following a nationalist gathering in Germany in 2024, Sellner was given a three-year entry ban by German authorities due to ensuing large protests.
Canadian government officials, citing privacy laws, have not disclosed whether Sellner will be allowed entry into Canada. The Immigration Minister’s office emphasized that individuals entering Canada must meet the admissibility criteria outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which includes factors like involvement in violence, terrorism, espionage, or organized crime.
Sellner’s potential entry has sparked concerns among experts and activists in Hamilton. Ameil Joseph, an anti-racism scholar, suggested that if other countries have restricted Sellner’s access, Canada should also consider such measures. Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has been informing venue owners about the Dominion Society’s objectives, emphasizing the city’s stance against hate, racism, and discrimination.
The Dominion Society, labeled as a nationalist group, promotes conspiracy theories such as the “great replacement” theory, claiming that white people are being replaced by racialized individuals. Their agenda includes advocating for the mass deportation of various groups, including temporary foreign workers and even Canadian-born individuals to non-Canadian citizens.
Joseph highlighted the deceptive tactics used by groups like the Dominion Society to push their exclusionary ideologies under the mainstream political discourse. He warned about exploiting economic anxieties to promote divisive theories like the “great replacement,” which allege deliberate dilution of white political power through immigration strategies.
Raqib Naik, from the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, highlighted how movements like remigration prey on legitimate economic concerns to attract followers, even if they are not inherently white supremacists. The term “remigration” has gained traction in migration policy discussions in the US, emphasizing a shift towards repatriation rather than managing migration flows.
Concerns persist in Hamilton about the rise of white nationalist groups, with Sellner’s potential visit adding to existing tensions. As discussions around immigration, nationalism, and extremism continue, the city remains vigilant in addressing and countering divisive ideologies that threaten social cohesion.