Another Northern Ontario venue has cancelled a show by comedian Ben Bankas.
Bankas, who is from Toronto but resides in Austin, Texas according to his website, has had dates cancelled in Thunder Bay, North Bay and now Sault Ste. Marie, where he was to perform in March at Sault Community Theatre.
The theatre announced Wednesday it has cancelled his March 6 booking after careful consideration and a review of his material.
"We have determined that this event does not align with our stated values of respect, inclusion and cultural diversity," it stated in a press release.
Bankas had also booked the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium for a performance in March, but the TBCA backed out within hours of announcing the date on social media.
Racialized people, other minority groups and the residential school system have been among the subjects of his routines, critics say.
In Sault Ste. Marie, the chief of an area First Nation described his references to Indigenous people and residential schools as "inaccurate" and "crude."
Chris Rous, president of the Sault Community Theatre Centre, said, "We support artistic expression and diverse viewpoints, and we also recognize that our programming choices are a reflection of our values as a community institution. After careful consideration, we believe this cancellation is the right decision."
Bankas' current tour, titled "I Said What I Said", has 28 dates and will take the comedian across Canada and through the United States. His show in the Nickel City is scheduled for March 5 at The Grand in downtown Sudbury. According to his website, the event is still going ahead, but all other Northern Ontario dates no longer appear on his tour schedule.