Chinese consular officials met with a Vancouver city hall employee last month, urging her to cancel a Shen Yun dance performance highlighting communist party repression, sources told Global News. The event, held April 8-12 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, also received bomb threats but proceeded as planned.
The incident suggests China continues using its diplomatic missions to silence dissent in Canada, even as Prime Minister Mark Carney pursues a detente with Beijing. Canada's intelligence agencies have long alleged China employs foreign interference tactics-threats and harassment-to advance its interests.
Former Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart called the move "deeply worrying," noting it bypassed elected officials to directly intimidate civil servants. The city confirmed the meeting but stated it does not censor lawful expression.
Prior to Vancouver, Shen Yun faced a bomb threat in Toronto on March 29, leading to the evacuation of the Four Seasons Centre and cancellation of performances. Toronto police deemed the threat unfounded. In February, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his residence after a threat to blow it up unless Shen Yun shows were canceled.
Cybercrime officers linked the Vancouver email threat to a phone number in China. The Chinese consulate did not respond to requests for comment.