A now removed event listing from the Port Theatre's website featured Ben Bankas' performance, scheduled for March 21. The event will no longer be held at the venue. (Image Credit: Port Theatre)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

ben bankas

Port Theatre cancels scheduled Nanaimo performance from controversial comedian

Mar 5, 2026 | 2:43 PM

NANAIMO — Following public outcry and Council direction to review its booking practices, the Port Theatre will not host a controversial entertainer later this month.

The scheduled March 21 Ben Bankas performance at the downtown Nanaimo venue was officially cancelled on Thursday, March 5, following what the Theatre said was “a comprehensive review of its contractual and legal obligations.”

A statement published minutes after the event listing was removed from the Port Theatre’s website said the venue “has a duty to provide a safe environment for staff, volunteers, patrons, artists and members of the community.”

David Warburton, the theatre’s artistic director, declined to comment further when asked by NanaimoNewsNOW.

“After an extensive internal and external review of safety, operation and legal factors, the Society determined that proceeding with the rental would be inconsistent with those obligations.”

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Bankas’ performances regularly feature material which denigrates visible minorities and makes crude remarks on topics such as residential schools, mass shootings and other controversial current events.

Past material has also joked about the death of ICE protesters in Minnesota, as well as race-based humour.

A delegation lobbied Council in late February to cancel the performance, citing the offensive nature of the material being displayed as a City-funded venue.

Council ultimately decided they were unable to order The Port Theatre to cancel the performance, saying the venue maintains autonomy with their bookings.

However, Council voted nearly unanimously to request a full review of the Theatre’s booking practices, via a letter sent to the Theatre’s leadership.

The letter, sent Feb. 23, from Mayor Leonard Krog said they’d received “several complaints” from the public regarding the performance.

“While we recognize the importance of artistic freedom and the Theatre’s responsibility to support a variety of performances, these concerns have highlighted the need to ensure that booking decisions continue to reflect the Theatre’s stated values.”

The letter requested “a review of its booking practices to ensure that all performances and events are consistent and fully aligned with the Theatre’s stated core values of being accessible, inclusive, and welcoming.”

A discussion between censoring free speech and appropriate performances at a City-funded venue took place over an hour.

Coun. Ian Thorpe, who stated his opposition to Bankas, but also his opposition to requesting a review of the Port, said the Theatre states it is inclusive to all.

“Well, in whose opinion? We don’t want it to be accessible or inclusive or welcoming to this comedian, because some in the audience and myself included, don’t appreciate his brand of humour. Do I support it? No, but it’s a viewpoint. So how can we say that we want the theatre to be inclusive and welcoming to everybody, but say well wait a minute, there’s limits on that.”

In a statement released Thursday, the Theatre said it “remains committed to upholding freedom of expression within the bounds of the law.”

Controversial comedian Ben Bankas’ upcoming March 21 show in downtown Nanaimo has been cancelled. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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