City of Abbotsford accused of censoring Christian event
Lawyers provided by the Justice Centre have issued a formal warning letter to the City of Abbotsford, demanding the immediate reversal of its decision to deny a permit for the “Let Us Worship Revive in 25” event, set to take place at Mill Lake Park on Sunday, August 24, 2025.
The event, part of a national Christian tour led by musician Sean Feucht, has drawn widespread participation across Canada with what organizers describe as peaceful gatherings requiring only a modest police presence.
Despite months of cooperation and meeting municipal requirements, organizers were blindsided when the City introduced a new hurdle: so-called “safety letters” from the police and fire departments. City officials then claimed that the Police Chief and Fire Chief would not provide those letters, citing vague and unspecified safety concerns they said exceeded their departments’ capacity to manage. Organizers were not given further details.
Freedom of conscience under threat
Constitutional lawyer Marty Moore says this is not an isolated incident. “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.”
Abbotsford officials are also reminded of the long-established legal precedent supporting religious freedom.
Quoting Chief Justice Brian Dickson’s 1985 ruling:
“The essence of the concept of freedom of religion is the right to entertain such religious beliefs as a person chooses, the right to declare religious beliefs openly and without fear of hindrance or reprisal, and the right to manifest religious belief by worship and practice or by teaching and dissemination.”
The President of the Justice Centre, John Carpay, stated, “Ultimately, the guarantor of freedom of expression and other Charter freedoms is not the Charter itself, nor freedom-loving judges who interpret it properly, but rather the culture and social fabric of Canadian society. If Canadians cherish the free society in their hearts, and understand their constitutional freedoms in their minds, the free society will endure.”
The City of Abbotsford is being urged to allow the event to proceed under standard safety protocols, in keeping with its legal obligation to respect the fundamental freedoms of all Canadians.
City faces growing pressure over missing “safety” evidence
Lawyers continue to pressure the City of Abbotsford to respect the fundamental freedoms of religion and expression after the City denied the permit for the August 24 worship concert.
Constitutional lawyer Glenn Blackett 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.” He added, “How is the client supposed to address concerns the City won’t disclose? If the police are aware of a significant safety risk, why won’t they share that information with the organizer? None of this makes sense if the concern is really safety.”
Lawyers also asked the City for an expedited appeal of the decision to deny the permit, but City officials responded that it could not be processed because decision-makers were on “summer break” and staff were “out of the office and unavailable.” On August 18, 2025, the City confirmed it had received a revised Special Event Permit application but has yet to indicate whether the application will be approved or rejected.
“This case raises serious questions about transparency and procedural fairness,” said constitutional lawyer Marty Moore. “The City is effectively denying organizers any meaningful opportunity to appeal its decision, while withholding the very information needed to resolve its alleged safety concerns.”