Hamilton mayor and police block anti-immigration group from city venues

Hamilton’s mayor, Andrea Horwath, declared that the Dominion Society was ineligible to rent city-owned property for its upcoming conference, effectively pushing the group toward a private venue. The Hamilton Police Service then diverted resources to publicly denounce the organization as “divisive and exclusionary” and solicited tips from residents about any venue arrangements. The author likens this to a 2023 incident in Quebec where former tourism minister Caroline Proulx ordered the cancellation of a contract with Harvest Ministries over its abortion stance, a move the Superior Court later found violated Charter-protected free expression.

The Dominion Society, which advocates for Canadian identity and the remigration of immigrants, has not been linked to criminal activity. The column contends that government facilities should be accessible to all lawful associations, regardless of how unpopular their opinions may be, and warns against police involvement in political disputes. It also references British policing trends as a cautionary example of politicized law enforcement.