A performance group that celebrates pre-communist China wants the Federal Court to review the National Arts Centre’s [NAC’s] decision to end its 17-year run.
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A performance group that celebrates pre-communist China wants the Federal Court to review the National Arts Centre’s decision to end its 17-year run.
In a document filed with the Federal Court, the Shen Yun dance group has raised concerns about possible foreign interference in the NAC’s decision, highlighting a meeting between the institution’s leadership and Chinese officials before the decision not to rent space to the group for its 2026 performance.
The annual performance is connected to Falun Gong, a spiritual practice based in New York facing persecution from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It bills itself as a “revival of the beauty and goodness of China before communism.”
Its staging has long drawn the ire of the PRC. Through its consulates, Beijing has called the Shen Yun shows “anti-China propaganda.”
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The Ottawa dispute is not the first time Shen Yun’s performances have come under pressure in Canada. Citing unnamed sources, Global News reported in May that representatives from China’s consulate in Vancouver told city staff that they wanted them stopped.
The event went ahead in April at the city-owned Queen Elizabeth Theatre, despite bomb threats.
Shen Yun performed in Toronto on March 28, but subsequent shows were cancelled after more threats of violence.
The threat, sent by email, indicated explosives had been planted inside the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts, as well as on Parliament Hill — just steps from the NAC. The same email account followed up the next day, warning that gunmen planned to enter the theatre disguised as audience members and open fire.
Toronto police told Global News the threats “were determined to be unfounded,” but the venue’s owner cancelled the remaining performances “out of an abundance of caution.”
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The court filing also details several interactions between NAC officials and representatives from China’s consulate in Ottawa in the years leading up to the decision, including an October 2024 private dinner at the ambassador’s residence.
The filing suggested the NAC’s board found nothing “unusual” about interactions between NAC leadership and foreign embassy representatives, and that such engagement falls within the NAC’s mandate.
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Our national Canadian spaces should be reserved for Canadian talent.
Canada must also be opened to foreign talent.
But interference as by China - not the art groups - is that should be ‘piss off. Do you agree with this?
China should not dictate what foreign talent to which we open to, no. I’m not opposed to Chinese talent performing here if it’s been selected impartially. In this case Shen Yun was just as much a product of lobbying to be here as Beijing lobbied for them not to be here. Both are wrong.
It’s amazing how you slightly change your stance with every comment (e.g., from ‘only allow Canadian artist’ to the narrative now) so to avoid criticizing China too much.
This group hasn’t done anything wrong in Canada (or elsewhere, as far as I know). It has been performing here for 17 years. As long as this group doesn’t violate the Canadian laws - which it hasn’t - everything must be fine. Your silent accusation of not being selected ‘impartially’ makes no sense in this context.
The ban came only now after China’ s interference. The perpetrator here is the Chinese government and no one else. This artist group hasn’t done anything wrong, the Chinese government has.
Falun Dafa is a corrupt organization and a cult. The PRC is a corrupt government. One of those people choose to join one people are forced. They both suck. If Canada wants to invite a Chinese artist that’s being recognized for an art form that doesn’t promote the PRC then fine. Shen Yun is literal Falun Dafa propaganda. Either way Canada should be making these decisions not Falun Dafa or the PRC