‘Anti-woke’ comedian’s show at Thunder Bay Community Auditorium cancelled

A social media post told ticket-buyers they should “Get ready for an unfiltered night of comedy that says what everyone’s thinking.”

As it turned out, not everyone was thinking positive thoughts about the planned performance by controversial Canadian comedian Ben Bankas at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.

Racialized people, other minority groups and the residential school system have been among the subjects of his routines.

According to the Nov. 18 post on the Auditorium’s Facebook page, tickets for a March 2026 appearance by the self-described “anti-woke” entertainer were to go on sale to the general public on Nov. 20.

A comment criticizing the decision to accept the comedian’s booking quickly followed.

Within hours, the Auditorium’s post was removed without explanation.

An article on his website states Bankas “mocks politics, current events, pop culture and himself,” and that he has a “cult-like following of comedy fans that love to laugh.”

Newswatch asked Andrew Edwards, the acting general manager of the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, about the circumstances behind the booking and its subsequent cancellation.

Edwards declined an on-the-record interview but said in an email: “This particular event was not a presented event by the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium and was a rental lease by a third party. We cannot comment on contractual and/or legal matters.”

He provided a prepared statement saying the Auditorium is “dedicated to creating a safe, professional and enjoyable environment for all our patrons. Our goal is to host events and performances that foster inclusivity, strengthen community connections and uphold the integrity of our organization.”

Deborah Knight of dkpr public relations, publicist for Bankas, said the Auditorium “felt that even though the show is meant for a mature, adult audience, Ben’s comedy was too politically incorrect.”

Knight suggested the venue “decided to believe malicious actors who are possibly attempting to keep the creation of art/comedy (meant for consenting adults) away from the public in order to further their dreams of censorship.”

She said the search is on for an alternate venue in the city.

According to Knight, bookings for Bankas in Kelowna, Calgary and North Bay were also recently cancelled by host facilities, but appearances are still scheduled for multiple other cities in the coming weeks and months, including Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury in March.

Diversity Thunder Bay weighed in on the issue on Monday, saying it commends the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium for “taking steps to maintain a safe and welcoming city with the recent cancellation of a problematic performer.”

The group includes 70 individuals and representatives of organizations, and describes its purpose as working towards an inclusive, equitable community free of racism and discrimination of any kind.

A prepared statement provided to Newswatch on behalf of Diversity Thunder Bay’s executive committee didn’t name a specific individual or group, but said “art of all kinds is often defended under the guise of freedom of expression.”

It also referred to a statement from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, that “Human rights law is clear. Freedom of expression stops at hatred that incites discrimination, hostility or violence.”

Diversity Thunder Bay called on the community to stand together against events “that hinder reconciliation and anti-racism efforts,” saying the city will only move forward with concerted collective action.

The group also spoke out with concerns about racist content in a comedy show booked at a different Thunder Bay venue last year. – tbnewswatch.com

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Multiculturism….supposedly this country’s strength but also its greatest weakness.

In order to not offend anyone for any reason, we now live in a bland, homogeneous world.  Boring.  Everywhere you go, its all the same.

In the name of ‘diversity’, Diversity Thunder Bay ensures that nothing strays too far from THEIR definition of ‘diversity’. Diversity Thunder Bay thinks a diverse community must hold all the same values as they do.  You know…THAT kind of diversity.  Think Thought Police.

Diversity Thunder Bay now believes they are the gatekeepers in charge of what the citizens in Thunder Bay are allowed to be exposed to.   Think Thought Police.

Humour. Ideas. Art.  Speech.  Comedy. There is ‘diversity’  and then there is Diversity Thunder Bay diversity. Think Thought Police.

Somehow, I believe that religion is somehow involved in this.   Diversity Thunder Bay’s diversity dogma will eventually lead to comedians such as Ben Bankas will be declared a witch and be burned at the stake.  Its where its headed. Think Thought Police.

We allow this.   Freedom is slavery…Orwell got it right back in 1947.

War is peace, Freedom is slavery, Ignorance is strength, Diversity Thunder Bay is diversity.