CALGARY — B’nai Brith Canada is urging federal authorities to prevent several foreign speakers from entering Canada ahead of a nationalist conference scheduled to take place in the Hamilton area Saturday.The Dominion Conference, also known as DomCon, is being organized by the Dominion Society of Canada and is promoted by organizers as an international gathering ''focused on Canadian nationalism.'' The organization describes the event as a professional conference and networking opportunity for Canadian nationalists.B’nai Brith, however, has characterized the event as a far-right gathering and has raised concerns about several of its scheduled international speakers.In a statement released Sunday, the Jewish advocacy organization said it had alerted the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) about speakers it says have promoted racist or antisemitic views. B’nai Brith also said it was working with law enforcement and community partners regarding the event..Among those expected to speak is Austrian activist Martin Sellner, a prominent advocate of “remigration,” a political concept generally associated with the large-scale return or deportation of immigrants and, in some versions, people with immigrant backgrounds.Sellner was permanently barred from entering the United Kingdom in 2019 on security grounds. His U.S. travel authorization was also cancelled that year after authorities learned of his communications with Christchurch terrorist Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 Muslim worshippers in New Zealand. Tarrant had also donated money to an organization associated with Sellner.Sellner has said to THEJ.CA he hopes to be permitted to enter Canada for the conference. Canadian officials have not publicly confirmed whether he will be admitted, citing privacy restrictions surrounding individual immigration cases.B’nai Brith has also identified British activist Charles Fraser Downes as a speaker of concern. The organization says Downes is associated with Restore Britain, a political group that advocates remigration, and has promoted 'antisemitic' conspiracy theories online..The Dominion Society openly promotes remigration as part of its political platform. Its website describes the policy as the “return of foreigners to their respective homelands” and advocates measures including a 10-year immigration moratorium and the deportation of millions of people.The organization has argued that its position is part of a broader effort to address issues including housing affordability and employment, while critics have connected its rhetoric to the “great replacement” conspiracy theory.The conference has already drawn opposition from Hamilton officials and community organizations. Mayor Andrea Horwath has said the city will not rent space to the Dominion Society and has contacted local venues to provide information about the organization.“While people are free to express their views, I have always been clear that there is no place for hate, racism or discrimination in Hamilton,” Horwath said in a statement..Daniel Tyrie, chair of the Dominion Society, has defended the conference and argued that Canadians should be permitted to peacefully assemble and discuss political ideas with which others may disagree. He has also criticized efforts to prevent Sellner from entering Canada as political persecution.Under Canadian immigration law, foreign nationals can be found inadmissible for a number of reasons, including certain security, criminality and organized-crime concerns. Canadian officials have not indicated that Sellner or the other speakers named by B’nai Brith have been found inadmissible.B’nai Brith is nevertheless calling on the federal government to review the speakers before they enter Canada.“B’nai Brith has alerted the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) about Sellner, Downes, and other figures believed to be planning to enter Canada for this event,” the organization said.The conference is scheduled for Saturday in the Hamilton area. Its precise venue has not been publicly disclosed.
