Christian ministry sues Moncton for $50K after city cancelled worship event over planned protests
Burn 24/7 Canada alleges the city violated its Charter rights when it cancelled a Sean Feucht worship event at Riverfront Park just two days before it was scheduled to take place.
A Christian ministry is suing the City of Moncton, alleging officials violated its freedom of expression by cancelling a public worship event amid concerns about planned protests.
Lawyers funded by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms have filed a Statement of Claim on behalf of Burn 24/7 Canada Worship Ministries Society seeking a declaration that the city violated its freedom of expression under section 2(b) of the Charter, along with $50,000 in damages.
The Justice Centre announces that lawyers have filed a Statement of Claim on behalf of Burn 24/7 Canada Worship Ministries Society (the Society) against the City of Moncton (City), arguing that the City violated the Society’s freedom of expression by cancelling a public Christian… pic.twitter.com/R0KmmVsf7K
— Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (@JCCFCanada) August 10, 2026
The Christian non-profit had planned a July 24, 2025 stop at Moncton's Riverfront Park as part of its "Let Us Worship" tour featuring American musician Sean Feucht.
According to the claim, the city approved the event on April 30 and organizers spent the following months working with municipal staff on insurance, washrooms, water, site planning and other logistics.
But two days before the event, the city cancelled it, citing its Code of Conduct in City Facilities and public-safety concerns related to planned protests.
The allegations have not been tested in court.
The ministry argues its event complied with city policies and that organizers had developed a security plan. The lawsuit accuses Moncton of effectively giving protesters a "heckler's veto" by cancelling peaceful expression because of anticipated opposition.
After losing the Riverfront Park venue, organizers found an alternative at Bar None Camp in Taxis River, New Brunswick, just hours before the event. The Society says expected attendance fell from approximately 1,000 people to about 200 because of the remote location, costing it donations and creating additional relocation expenses.
"This case concerns a basic constitutional principle: governments cannot suppress peaceful expression simply because others threaten to protest it," constitutional lawyer Chris Fleury said.
The lawsuit was filed in the Court of King's Bench of New Brunswick in Moncton.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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COMMENTS
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Bruce Atchison commented 2026-08-10 19:18:45 -0400Let’s hope this gives venue managers more backbone. If they can be sued for denying people’s constitutional rights to worship, they deserve to be punished. And would a venue deny Muslims desire to have an event if they heard that some non Muslims planned to protest it?
