Some residents call for cancellation of controversial comedian’s shows in Kitchener

A controversial comedian is coming to Kitchener, but some residents are calling on the city cancel the performance. CTV’s Krista Simpson explains.

As a controversial comedian prepares to perform at a venue owned by the City of Kitchener next month, some residents are calling on the city to cancel the shows.

Ben Bankas makes jokes about immigration, diversity, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and residential schools. He was born in Toronto, but now lives in Texas.

Sarah Walker stumbled across a clip of one of his previous performances online. The video showed Bankas mocking the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minnesota in January.

Walker was shocked to learn Bankas is scheduled to perform in her city at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, a city-owned venue, on March 7.

“It’s not acceptable,” Walker said.

Walker said she supports free speech, but the words Bankas uses are harmful.

“That’s not free speech anymore, right, that’s hate speech. And we need to draw a line in the sand as far as what we allow and don’t allow,” Walker said.

According to the Criminal Code every one who, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace is guilty of an indictable offence.

It also states every one who, by communicating statements, other than in private conversation, wilfully promotes hatred against any identifiable group is guilty of an indictable offence.

Brian Lockyer is a former Kitchener resident who now lives in Nova Scotia. He started a group to connect people who are concerned about Bankas upcoming shows.

“When you read the Charter, the Canadian Charter, he crosses a lot of lines. This is not about comedy. This is not about censorship,” Lockyer said.

Lockyer and members of the group are calling on the city to cancel the booking.

“I think they need to set a precedent that you can’t just use public spaces to spout your opinions and claim that it’s art,” Lockyer told CTV News.

Other venues in Ontario cities have cancelled Bankas’s shows. A venue in Minnesota did the same after his comments on Good’s death.

“Our city has their own standards and protocols for hate speech, right? And if they’re not going to take their own advice, then how is anybody else supposed to?” Walker said.

In a statement, the City of Kitchener told CTV News, “We are actively monitoring this file and more information will be shared when appropriate.”

If the shows do go ahead as planned on March 7, Walker said there will be a group at the Conrad Centre making their displeasure known.

“We have every intention of being here on the day that he performs if this is allowed to go forth, and ensuring that he feels the discomfort that we feel,” Walker said.

CTV reached out to Bankas’ representatives, who provided a statement on his behalf. It said, in part, “It’s a comedy show for consenting adults who understand the nuance and enjoy the commentary. Freedom of speech is important to me and if people want to see taboo comedy they should be able to.”

Both of his Kitchener shows are sold out.