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.”
The Shen Yun performance had an almost uninterrupted run at the NAC since 2005, before organizers say the institution put a halt to their shows.
In a court filing obtained by Global News, the Falun Dafa Association of Ottawa highlighted interactions between NAC officials and the Chinese consulate, including Ambassador Wang Di, leading up to that decision.
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The application, which has not been tested in court, alleged that those relationships and the “abrupt” reversal of the NAC on Shen Yun create a “serious and reasonable inference that foreign-state influence, diplomatic cultivation or a desire to accommodate Chinese-state interests may have materially affected the decision-making process.”
Carl Martin, a spokesperson for the NAC, said the organization will not be commenting on the application while it is before the courts.
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.”
Shen Yun performances were also cancelled at Montreal’s Place des Arts in 2026, according to media reports.
Shen Yun came under scrutiny in 2024 after the New York Times released a story alleging performers were subjected to abuse and discouraged from seeking medical treatment. Shen Yun and Falun Gong have denied the allegations.
The court filing suggests the NAC raised questions about the New York labour investigation in February 2025, calling the allegations serious and requesting information about how performers were being protected. The Falun Dafa organization said it complied with the NAC’s request in writing.
The filing stated that the NAC told Shen Yun in June 2025 that it would not rent space for the group’s 2026 performance, and later raised several other concerns, including security costs, declining ticket sales, date availability and “adverse media coverage and associated reputational concerns.”
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.
No Ben, what you are saying is a violation of our Constitution.
Liberals are the ones that covered up collusion and they can sue me for defemmation if I am lying.
Poilievre is under no obligation to get security clearance.
You are an ignorant GLR.
I think the NAC board needs to be investigated by CSIS and the RCMP.
Ben forgets the Liberals have dragged their feet regarding foreign interference and even tried to sweep in under the rug by appointing a Liberal hack as “”Special Rapporteur”. Liberals still have not got the Foreign Agent Registry up and running even that is was promised years ago.
Canada faces alleged interference like this all the time. Yet the conservative opposition leader Poilievre still doesn’t have his security clearance. Some say this may leave Canada vulnerable. Just outrageous.
People that meet with Chinese authorities belong in prison.
” Citing unnamed sources,”
“Nobody Believes The Official Spokesperson, But Everyone Trusts The Unidentified Source.”
Credibility gap here.
Of course there is Chinese interference.Canada is full is said interference and the Liberals/left seem to love it.
When China tells Carney to jump, he asks how high Xi. Carney bootlicks China.
Carney is restoring 24 Sussex Drive so that Xi Jinping has a nice place to reside in when the CCP/LPC Coalition forms government after the next election cycle in Canada.
I admire basic dictatorships.
Please attend the Pride parade with myself, Mark Carney, and Justin Trudeau
Can’t wait till USA unleashes thousands of nukes towards china, only hope it’s within my lifetime
Actually China would like them all back. They are very healthy and they could get top dollar for there ” donated organs”.
Keep voting Liberal!!!
This is a critical issue for Canada! Will it succumb to transnational repression or stand up for itself? It’s important for people to be able to see Shen Yun as well!
Ben is a loyal comrade and I thank him for his loyalty to turn Canada into Venezuela North. We strive for the utopia of a pure communist state in the Great White North
I wish Canada would change its name to Chinada
I think it is a good deal to get closer to China because of Trump Tariffs. Canada should become more authoritarian and just like Trudeau and Carney I admire basic dictatorships.
We all know who is behind this.
This was part of Carneys trade deal with China.
I went to see it several years ago, it was awesome!
Carney interfered with this show.
Concerns are warranted. CCP is all up in Canada since 2015.
“concerns about possible foreign interference in the NAC’s decision”
Of course there is. The CCP speaks, the LPC leaps.