The Canada Council for the Arts says Toronto’s embattled Soulpepper Theatre is at risk of losing its federal funding.
In its list of the council’s grant competition winners, Soulpepper’s status is listed as “under review.”
Soulpepper was recently rocked by allegations of sexual misconduct that caused the theatre to sever ties with co-founder Albert Schultz, and Shultz’s spouse and theatre executive director Leslie Lester.
Four actresses have launched suits against Shutlz and the theatre over allegations of sexual harassment, sexual remarks and unwanted groping, seeking more than $4 million damages from the theatre and more than $3.5 million from Shultz.
The Council’s review of Soulpepper’s funding grant follows comments made several weeks ago by Heritage Minister Melanie Joly. She told reporters that arts organizations that don’t have “best practices” in place to deal with harassment and bullying may be blocked from federal funding.