A Canadian Christian organization has launched a legal challenge against Quebec City, alleging the municipality violated constitutional rights by cancelling a performance by controversial American Christian musician Sean Feucht.
Tour Faces Widespread Cancellations
The lawsuit emerges from events last summer when Feucht's planned tour of eastern Canada encountered systematic opposition. All six scheduled venues across eastern Canada either cancelled permits or turned away the event, with organizers frequently citing public safety concerns and planned protests as justification.
Cancellations occurred in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Moncton, New Brunswick; Gatineau, Quebec; Vaughan, Ontario; and Quebec City. Meanwhile, Montreal authorities fined a local church $2,500 for hosting a Feucht concert without proper permits.
Legal Battle Over Charter Rights
The plaintiff, Burn 24/7 Canada Worship Ministries Society, claims Quebec City cancelled their leased event space at ExpoCité just one day before the scheduled July 24 performance. The British Columbia-based non-profit had paid the full rental fee of $2,609.93 on July 14.
According to the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), which is supporting the legal action, city officials stated publicly that ExpoCité terminated the contract after determining an 'artist who generates significant controversy has consequences for ExpoCité's reputation.'
The lawsuit seeks reimbursement of the rental fee plus $5,000 in Charter damages and a judicial declaration that the cancellation unjustifiably infringed upon rights of freedom of religion, expression, opinion, peaceful assembly, and non-discrimination based on religious or political opinion.
Broader Pattern of Cancellations
Feucht's subsequent western Canada tour faced similar challenges with cancellations in Winnipeg, Abbotsford, and Kelowna. The performer did manage to hold events in Saskatoon and on the south lawn of the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, where he attracted both large crowds and vocal protests.
Sean Feucht has drawn controversy for his outspoken views against 'gender ideology,' abortion, and the LGBTQ+ community. His religious and political activism has earned praise from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who appears in a video on Feucht's website stating: 'Your faith is a force that our enemies can never ever extinguish.'
Olivier Séguin, lawyer for the plaintiff, emphasized in a statement: 'In this era of cancel culture, it's easy to see why some private citizens might yield to public pressure. But when government officials do the same, it crosses a line.'
The JCCF indicates it may pursue additional legal challenges regarding other cancelled Feucht concerts, including in Abbotsford where the organization sent a warning letter prior to that city's cancellation. It's important to note that the allegations against Quebec City have not been proven in court.
