A religious non-profit organization established by an American Christian musician, whose concert was canceled in Moncton last 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 occur in a public park along the riverfront. Burn 24/7 Canada, the non-profit founded by Feucht, filed a notice of action in Moncton court on August 4, alleging that the city’s halting 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. Feucht, a Christian missionary and singer known for his controversial views on the LGBTQ+ community, abortion rights, and critical race theory, leads events in various cities in Canada and the United States. His “Let Us Worship” tour, described as bringing Christian worship and the message of the Christian Gospel to cities, was set to include the Moncton show.
The city revoked the permits two days before the scheduled event, citing non-compliance with the city’s Code of Conduct and concerns about safety due to planned protests. Feucht’s organization disputes the city’s reasoning, claiming that the cancellation was based on Feucht’s conservative Christian values and support for former President Donald Trump, rather than legitimate safety concerns.
When the Moncton show was canceled, Feucht relocated it to Bar None Camp in Taxis River. The last-minute change incurred additional costs for Burn 24/7, including liability insurance, printing materials, portable toilets, and transportation expenses. Despite the move, attendance fell short of expectations, resulting in reduced donations to cover tour expenses. The organization is seeking $50,000 in damages for the financial losses incurred.
Burn 24/7 claims to have complied with all of the city’s requests throughout the planning process, including providing necessary documentation and security measures. The organization had trained volunteers prepared to handle security at the event. The claims made by the organization are yet to be tested in court. The city of Moncton declined to comment on the matter, stating that it is now in the hands of the courts.
