Shen Yun shows cancelled in Toronto after ‘unfounded’ threats

TORONTO — The presenter of Shen Yun’s run in Toronto says the venue hosting the dance troupe’s shows has cancelled the performances after receiving bomb threats.

The Falun Dafa Association of Toronto says the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts cancelled its remaining shows scheduled between April 1 and 5.

Association spokesperson Joel Chipkar calls the threats, which he alleges were linked to the Chinese Communist Party, a “cowardly attack” on freedom of expression aimed at silencing the show.

Falun Dafa, or Falun Gong, is a spiritual movement that has been banned by the Chinese government.

Toronto police say the threats against Shen Yun shows were “determined to be unfounded,” and the origin of the threats is unknown.

The Four Seasons Centre says it decided to cancel the shows out of an abundance of caution, after receiving what it describes as an “escalating series” of threatening messages.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.