Dieudonn cancels video performance for Montrealers

A controversial French comedian convicted of hate speech has cancelledhis planned performancefor Montrealers via video at a hotel conference room after he was reportedly barred from entering Canada.

DieudonnM'balaM'bala,who goes by the stage nameDieudonn,was scheduled to perform 10shows in Montreal starting Wednesday night.

But the comic,whohas made headlines for publicly denying the Holocaust and making jokes about gas chambers, was reportedlybarred from entering Canada at Montreal'sTrudeauairport Tuesday.

PassengersonDieudonn'sflight saidhewas met by two border agents when the plane landed in Montreal.

His promoters in Montreal say theyrented a hall in a Montreal hotel for ticket-holders to see him perform from France.

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Earlier on Tuesday,Dieudonnwas found guilty of violatinghate speechlaws in Franceand handed a10,000 (about $14,700 Cdn)fine and a two-month suspended jail sentence.

The conviction is related toa show where he dressed up to resemblea detainee from Guantanamo Bay, mocked the Holocaust and suggested Jews were active in the slave trade.

Dieudonnhasbeen convicted and fined numerous times for violating hate speech laws in Europe.

The Canada Border Services Agency has some discretion in admitting people to the country with criminal records.

The agency won't comment on specific cases.

His planned appearances in Montreal have been the subject of controversy for weeks, with Mayor Denis Coderre declaring Dieudonn isn't welcome in the city.

• Dieudonnisn't welcome in Montreal, mayor says