Canadian comedy group is ‘racist’ for profiting off Robert Pickton merch: victim’s family

Just days after B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton was made eligible for day parole for the first time, victims’ families are stunned a Canadian comedy group is selling merchandise making fun of the case.

The t-shirts, which are sold out online, retail for just under $35. They show two men on the front, one of them depicting Pickton with the line, “Over 50 flavours of hookery smoked bacon.”

The DNA of Lorelei Williams’ cousin, Tanya Holyk, was found at Pickton’s Port Coquitlam pig farm. He was charged, but never convicted in relation to her death.

Pickton was found guilty of six counts of second-degree murder in December 2007. When the Supreme Court of Canada upheld his sentence, first-degree murder charges involving 20 other women, including Holyk, were stayed because Pickton was already serving the maximum sentence.

Williams says the families have been through so much already and can’t believe someone would do this.

“We have to deal with these racist, misogynistic comedians who are making money off of this,” said a frustrated Williams. “That’s so disgusting. I’m horrified. People are so horrible. It’s not just what has happened to my family, it’s having to deal with racist people like that.”

CityNews reached out to Danger Cats, the group behind the merchandise, for comment, but did not receieve a response.

The members have an upcoming performance at House of Comedy in New Westminster on March 24.

In a statement to CityNews, the venue says the show will go ahead. It adds a cancellation would contradict their “commitment to fostering an environment where diverse voices can be heard, even when the material may be controversial.”

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“Our organization values the principles of free speech and artistic expression. Comedy, as a diverse and subjective form of entertainment, often explores a range of topics that can be interpreted differently by individuals. The decision to book Danger Cats was made with a commitment to providing a platform for various comedic styles and perspectives,” the venue said.

It says it’s “taken note” of the merchandise and recommended the group remove it.

“However, it is our position that cancelling the performance would go against our commitment to fostering an environment where diverse voices can be heard, even when the material may be controversial. While we acknowledge the concerns raised, it’s crucial to recognize the distinction between our role as a venue and the creative choices made by the performers,” the statement went on to say.

The venue added that organizers “hope” the performance “will serve as an opportunity for meaningful conversations about the boundaries of comedy and free speech.”

Danger Cats recently had a show in Winnipeg cancelled by Yuk Yuk’s after Indigenous advocates and community members spoke up.

“Saying, ‘I have free speech. I have free expression. I can be racist, when we’re in this era of reconciliation — how is this tolerable, and how is a venue still allowing this to happen if it deems itself a respectable establishment?” said Sadie Lavoie, a Winnipeg-based Indigenous artist.

Lavoie was among those who called for the cancellation after it surfaced that Danger Cats members have jokes about Residential Schools and unmarked burial grounds.

Pickton’s eligibility for full parole begins in 2027 – 25 years after his original arrest date on Feb. 22, 2002.

–With files from Joanne Roberts, CityNews Winnipeg