Christian non-profit sues City of Moncton for stopping concert last summer
City revoked permits last July to show featuring Christian rocker Sean Feucht, citing safety concerns
A religious non-profit founded by an American Christian rocker whose concert was cancelled in Moncton last year is now suing the city.
The City of Moncton revoked permits last July for a performance by Sean Feucht that was going to take place 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, claiming that when the city stopped the "musical worship show," it infringed on the organization's rights to freedom of expression.
"These infringements are not trivial," the statement of claim reads. "They relate to fundamental civil liberties that underpin Canadian democracy and they caused serious harm."
Burn 24/7 Canada claims the cancellation infringed on rights laid out in section 2(b) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
WATCH | Cancelled Sean Feucht concert provokes legal action:Feucht is a Christian missionary and singer who has garnered controversy for speaking out against the 2SLGBTQ+ community, abortion rights and critical race theory.
His organization puts on events across Canada and the United States. Last spring and summer, he made stops in different cities in Canada as a "worship leader" in his "Let Us Worship" tour, according to court documents.
The statement of claim described the goal of the tour as bringing "Christian worship and the message of the Christian Gospel to cities across Canada."
On July 22, 2025, two days before the show was scheduled, the City of Moncton revoked the permits Feucht needed.
It said at that time that the event was "non-compliant with the city's Code of Conduct in City Facilities".
Planned protests expected to take place at the show also became a concern for safety and security, according to the city.
Feucht unsuccessfully ran in 2020 for U.S. Congress as a Republican and has said he supports President Donald Trump's MAGA movement.
His organization claims safety concerns were not a legitimate reason to cancel the Moncton show. It claims the cancellation was due to the perception of Feucht's "expression of conservative Christian values and his public support for the elected president of the United States."
"For clarity, the Event, were it allowed to proceed, would not have included the personal or political views of worship leader Sean Feucht," the claim says.
The group's claims have not been tested in court.
As of Tuesday afternoon, no response to the claim had been been posted to the New Brunswick court website.
The city told CBC News in an email that it will not be commenting on the matter as it's before the courts.
- Charlottetown distances itself from MAGA musician's performance at city-owned venue
- Permit revoked for MAGA musician's concert at Parks Canada site, but show will go on
Feucht's show was also cancelled near Halifax and Charlottetown last year.
The organization sued Quebec City last November after it cancelled Feucht' show.
CBC News also reached out to the organization and Feucht himself for comment Tuesday but did not get a response.
Organization claiming $50,000 in damages
When the city cancelled the show in Moncton, Feucht moved it to a place described in court documents as "Bar None Camp" in Taxis River, a settlement near Miramichi.
It was the only location that would host the event on such short notice, the organization said.
Burn 24/7 incurred costs as a result, such as liability insurance, printing for outreach materials, portable toilets and fuel to drive to the new location.
The show was going to be free and open to the public, and the organizer relied on donations from attendees to pay for tour expenses.
The organization also laid out in the statement of claim that it expected 1,000 people at the show in Moncton. It said only 200 showed up at the Miramichi-area location.
"As a result of the significant reduction in attendees, donations made to Burn 24/7 Canada during the Event were significantly reduced," the statement of claim reads.
Organizers say they complied with city requests
The statement of claim also provided more context about the work and conversation the organization said took place between organizers and the city.
Burn 24/7 and the city spoke about the proposal for the concert and worship service on April 4, 2025, according to the statement filed in court.
Throughout the process, the organization said it complied with "all of the city's requests," including providing a site plan and insurance information.
On April 30, 2025, the city approved the event that would take place that July.
The organization said conversations continued, and Burn 24/7 provided details to the city about porta-potties, the availability of potable water and "precise timing."
"Burn 24/7 Canada continued to comply with all City requests," the statement said.
Organizers claim they had trained volunteers ready to act as security for the event.