Michael Rapaport Slams Canadian Lawmaker's Attempt to Ban His Comedy Shows

Comedian Michael Rapaport has criticized Canadian MP Heather McPherson for her call to prevent him from performing stand-up shows in Canada, citing allegations of his criminal history and Islamophobic remarks. In a column for The Free Press, Rapaport labeled McPherson's campaign as the 'craziest' against him, asserting that he has no significant criminal record and defending his stance as a pro-Israel activist amid rising antisemitism in Canada. McPherson, a member of the New Democratic Party, expressed concerns over increasing Islamophobia and urged lawmakers to deny Rapaport entry, claiming all Canadians deserve to feel safe. Rapaport responded by inviting her to attend his show and criticized her focus on his alleged offenses rather than addressing the uptick in hate crimes against Jews. He highlighted the irony of her statement about hate having no place in Canada while ignoring the antisemitic incidents in the country. The dispute underscores ongoing tensions around freedom of expression and rising social issues in Canada.