Burn 24/7 Canada Worship Ministries Society is a Canadian Christian non-profit organization that hosts free, family-friendly outdoor worship events in communities across Canada.
In 2023 and 2024, the Society organized large outdoor worship events featuring American Christian musician Sean Feucht. Those events proceeded without incident and attracted thousands of attendees.
Encouraged by that success, the Society planned an 11-city Canadian tour for 2025.
Before the tour began, however, opposition emerged in several cities. Critics labelled Mr. Feucht a “MAGA musician” and urged governments and public venues to cancel the events because of his religious and political views. In one example, Halifax Liberal MP Shannon Miedema publicly called on the federal government to cancel Burn 24/7 Canada’s booking at the Halifax Citadel.
As the tour progressed, governments and public authorities in several Canadian cities cancelled previously approved worship events, often citing generalized safety concerns or public controversy.
Lawyers funded by the Justice Centre challenged these government actions on behalf of the Society, arguing that governments could not restrict peaceful religious expression because of political pressure or disagreement with a speaker’s views.
Québec City cancelled a worship event two days before it was scheduled
Burn 24/7 Canada signed a lease with Québec City on July 4, 2025, to hold a worship event at ExpoCité and paid the full rental fee of $2,609.93 on July 14.
On July 23, only two days before the event, the City cancelled the agreement.
Municipal officials stated publicly that ExpoCité cancelled the booking because an artist who generated significant controversy created reputational concerns for the venue. The City also relied on contractual provisions concerning illegal solicitation and use of the premises.
Lawyers funded by the Justice Centre argued that these reasons were baseless and that the cancellation discriminated against the Society because of the viewpoints associated with its invited worship leader.
The Society filed a lawsuit in Québec Superior Court seeking reimbursement of its rental payment, punitive damages, and declarations that the City’s actions violated freedoms protected by the Charter and the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
Constitutional lawyer Olivier Séguin said, “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 City’s conduct is inexcusable and must be punished.”
Québec City lawsuit moved toward trial
Cross-examinations concluded during the week of April 27, 2026, in the Québec Superior Court action.
The lawsuit continued to seek reimbursement of rent, punitive damages, and declarations that Québec City violated freedoms protected by the Charter and the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
Constitutional lawyer Olivier Séguin said, “When government officials create a cancel culture, it crosses a line. The City’s conduct is inexcusable and must be punished.”
Abbotsford denied a permit for a public worship event
The Society also planned to hold its “Let Us Worship: Revive in 25” event at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford on August 24, 2025.
After months of working with City staff and complying with municipal requirements, organizers were informed that they needed “safety letters” from the police and fire departments before a permit would be issued.
The City later advised that neither department would provide those letters because of unspecified safety concerns. No supporting information or documentation was provided.
Lawyers funded by the Justice Centre argued that the City’s actions unjustifiably interfered with freedoms protected by the Charter.
Constitutional lawyer Marty Moore said, “The cancellations of these worship events by government entities across Canada has exposed a grotesque lack of government knowledge and appreciation for Canada’s fundamental freedoms, including those of religion, expression and peaceful assembly.”
Lawyers also reminded the City of Abbotsford of longstanding constitutional protections for religious worship, including principles articulated by Chief Justice Brian Dickson in 1985.
Abbotsford refused to disclose alleged safety concerns
Lawyers continued to ask the City to permit the event to proceed under ordinary safety requirements.
The City declined to provide an expedited appeal, stating that decision-makers were on summer break and unavailable.
Constitutional lawyer Glenn Blackett questioned the City’s refusal to disclose the information it relied upon.
He said, “The City says it had information of protest-related safety risks three weeks ago that necessitated cancellation. To date, nobody—including the police—will provide records or further information about that.”