Share your thoughts with Nanaimo City Council

Add your name and message to our letter demanding an apology for Canadian comedian Ben Bankas

Canada should not be the kind of country where politicians try to cancel comedians.

Nanaimo, B.C. just earned the Canadian Constitution Foundation’s 2026 Municipal Muzzle Award for its role in shutting down Ben Bankas’ sold-out comedy show at the city-owned Port Theatre in March.

According to the venue’s statement, the publicly-owned theatre “has a duty to provide a safe environment for staff, volunteers, patrons, artists and members of the community.” Hearing jokes you don’t like is not unsafe, and encouraging Canadians to think this way is irresponsible.

Sign the CCF’s public letter calling on Mayor Leonard Krog and Nanaimo City Council to apologize to Mr. Bankas for the cancellation of his performance and commit to defending free expression instead of caving to censorship campaigns and outrage-driven pressure.

Canadian comedian Ben Bankas. Image by Mimat12345 via under CC 4.0.

Have your message mailed to the comedy censors of Nanaimo, B.C.

The CFF will print and physically mail all submissions to Nanaimo City Council at the end of June

Dear Mayor Krog and Nanaimo City Council,

Congratulations!

Your city has officially earned the Canadian Constitution Foundation’s 2026 Municipal Muzzle Award for helping shut down a sold-out comedy show because certain residents objected to jokes.

After complaints about Canadian comedian Ben Bankas’ material, you voted to pressure the city-owned Port Theatre to cancel the performance.

In Canada, there is no right to not be offended. Free expression includes ideas, opinions, and humour that some people are bound to dislike. It survives only when public officials defend controversial speech instead of surrendering to outrage campaigns.

We, the undersigned, call on you to apologize to Mr. Bankas for your role in the cancellation of his performance and to commit to respecting freedom of speech going forward.

Signed,

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