A religious non-profit organization established by an American Christian musician, whose concert was canceled in Moncton the previous year, is taking legal action against the city. The City of Moncton withdrew permits in July for a performance by Sean Feucht that was scheduled to happen in a public park on the riverfront. Burn 24/7 Canada, the non-profit founded by Feucht, filed a notice of action in Moncton court on Aug. 4, alleging that the city’s halt of the “musical worship show” violated the organization’s freedom of expression rights.
The organization claims that the cancellation infringed on rights outlined in section 2(b) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, emphasizing that it was a significant violation impacting fundamental civil liberties crucial to Canadian democracy. Feucht, a Christian missionary and singer known for his controversial views on various social issues, organizes events in both Canada and the United States. His “Let Us Worship” tour, described in court documents, aims to bring Christian worship and the Gospel message to cities across Canada.
Two days before the scheduled show on July 22, 2025, the City of Moncton revoked the necessary permits, citing non-compliance with the city’s Code of Conduct in City Facilities and safety concerns related to planned protests. Feucht’s organization disputes the reasons for the cancellation, asserting that safety concerns were not valid grounds and that it was based on the perception of Feucht’s conservative Christian values and support for the former U.S. President.
The organization is seeking damages of $50,000 due to the cancellation, as it incurred additional costs relocating the event to Bar None Camp near Fredericton. Despite complying with the city’s requests and providing necessary information, the show was moved last minute, resulting in lower attendance and reduced donations. Burn 24/7 Canada maintains that it had taken all necessary steps to ensure compliance with city regulations, including having trained volunteers for security.
The legal battle between the organization and the City of Moncton is ongoing, with Burn 24/7 Canada pushing for acknowledgment of the infringement on its rights to prevent similar actions by governments in the future. The city has refrained from commenting on the matter as it is now before the courts. Feucht’s show faced similar cancellations in other Canadian cities, leading to legal actions against authorities involved.