July 24, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parks Canada, York Redoubt NHS<\/p>\n\n\n\n
City of Charlottetown, Parks & Recreation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
City of Moncton, Parks Operations<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ville de Qu\u00e9bec, Operations <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dear Sirs\/Mesdames:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Re: Cancellation of Sean Feucht\u2019s Performance<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am writing this open letter to you in my capacity as Executive Director of the Free Speech Union of Canada. The FSUC is a non-partisan, mass-membership, non-profit organisation that defends the expressive rights of its members and campaigns for free speech more widely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was disappointing to see Parks Canada cancel the upcoming performance by Christian musician Sean Feucht, and for other municipalities to follow suit. This appears to be based solely on the fact that some members of the community do not like this performer\u2019s views. According to<\/a> CBC,<\/a> \u201cFeucht, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. congress as a Republican in 2020, is also a missionary and an author who has spoken out against the 2SLGBTQ+ community, abortion rights and critical race theory on his website.\u201d There were also references to him being part of the \u201cMAGA\u201d movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The FSUC does not endorse the views of Mr. Feucht, nor do we advocate for particular points of view. We do believe strongly that, unless laws are being broken (as opposed to some people claiming to be offended), it is not for public venues to decide which views people are allowed to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His cancellation by your various institutions appears to have been the result of public pressure from a group of \u201cconcerned citizens\u201d who have forgotten that they live in a country that is founded on liberal principles, such as freedom of expression. Parks Canada\u2019s immediate caving to this pressure has only emboldened the mob, which has now successfully brought pressure to bear on the municipalities of Charlottetown, Moncton and Quebec City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Citizens of a free society, as Canada is, have a right to hear as much as the speaker has the right to express. Are we so censorious and fragile in this country that we cannot tolerate someone with non-progressive views expressing themselves to those who want to hear them? Why should those who enjoy his concerts not be able to attend? Surely, the answer to the \u201cconcerned citizens\u201d who were up in arms about this was to say, \u201cIf you don\u2019t like what he says, don\u2019t buy a ticket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liberal Member of Parliament Shannon Miedema, who initially applied pressure to Parks Canada, wrote, according to CBC, <\/a>that, \u201cI have the utmost respect for the value of free speech, I do not believe this event aligns with Parks Canada\u2019s core values of respect for people, equity, diversity and inclusion, or integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once again, we see free speech (paid an Orwellian form of lip-service here) trumped by some vague conflict with \u201cequity, diversity and inclusion.\u201d Trotting out this formulaic refrain suggests that only \u201cprogressive\u201d expression will be tolerated at government venues, which is an arbitrary limit on free speech. Public entities have an obligation to uphold the constitutional right to freedom of expression generally\u2014for all Canadians\u2014which is a central tenet of a free and democratic society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps you do not appreciate the heritage and importance of freedom of expression. As our Supreme Court of Canada articulated, \u201cFreedom of expression is not, however, a creature of the Charter<\/em>. It is one of the fundamental concepts that has formed the basis for the historical development of the political, social and educational institutions of western society. Representative democracy, as we know it today, which is in great part the product of free expression and discussion of varying ideas, depends upon its maintenance and protection.\u201d1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n And some years later, the Supreme Court elaborated that freedom of expression \u201cwas entrenched in our Constitution [\u2026] so as to ensure that everyone can manifest their thoughts, opinions, beliefs, indeed all expressions of the heart and mind, however unpopular, distasteful, or contrary to the mainstream<\/strong>.\u201d2<\/a> The Charter <\/em>describes this protection as fundamental \u201cbecause in a free and democratic society\u201d such as Canada, \u201cwe prize a diversity of ideas and opinions for their inherent value both to the community and individual<\/strong>.\u201d3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people are not going to like that. These individuals disparage dialogue and the principle of challenging ideas with better ideas\u2014not with force or censorship. They will shout down and censor speakers, and even threaten protests, destruction and violence to prevent the constitutional right of others to listen and engage in the marketplace of ideas. You do not have to give in to them, and you should not do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Charlottetown initially resisted the mob, stating on July 22 that \u201c<\/a>From a legal standpoint we are limited in restricting access to public spaces,\u201d the statement on social media said. \u201cThe city wishes to be clear in its support of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. If there are any opinions or statements expressed by any performer to the contrary, they are not the views of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That was a reasonable statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That of Charlottetown MP Sean Casey was not: \u201cWhile I fully respect the right to freedom of expression, I do not believe this event reflects the values of inclusivity and respect that define the City of Charlottetown or the Government of Canada,” Casey wrote in a Facebook <\/a>post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A day later, Charlottetown caved to the pressure <\/a>as well. \u201cAfter consultation with Charlottetown Police Services, the City of Charlottetown has notified the organizer\u2026 that their permit has been revoked due to evolving public safety and security concerns,” the city said in a news release Wednesday afternoon. “This review included a conversation with one of the counter event organizers, as well as a review of social media comments, some of which included threatening language and indications there could be damage to property and equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They do not say who is proposing to damage the equipment, but if it is the \u201checklers\u201d trying to shut down Feucht, the City should be thinking hard about the effects of giving in to the mob. All someone has to do is threaten violence, and they get their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, in Moncton, a permit was withdrawn,<\/a> \u201cdue to evolving safety and security considerations, including confirmation of planned protests, the City has determined that the event poses potential risks to the safety and security of community members, event attendees, and organizers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n An open letter <\/a>from various LGBTQ groups (and others), alleged that, \u201cAllowing a group that goes against all principles of diversity, equity and inclusion to perform in a public space, thus creating an atmosphere of fear for marginalized residents, is completely contradictory to the city\u2019s Policy.\u201d This prompted the City to backtrack on its permit, once again giving in to the heckler\u2019s veto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most municipalities have hosted Pride events, which some citizens would find controversial, distasteful or offensive, and which sometimes results in displays of nudity or overt sexual behaviour. Yet these events proceed with a stamp of approval and even participation from city officials. Again, the FSUC takes no position on this, except to point out that double standards and arbitrariness are not appropriate in a society based on equal treatment under the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not to be outdone, Quebec City cancelled a concert <\/a>scheduled in its city yesterday: \u201cThe presence of a controversial artist was not mentioned when the contract was signed between ExpoCit\u00e9 and the promoter of the concert planned for the site this Friday,\u201d said Fran\u00e7ois Moisan, Quebec City\u2019s director of public relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With upcoming concert dates across the country, it would be a good time to remind the remaining municipalities on the tour of their Charter <\/em>obligations and the foundational principles that make Canada a free and democratic society. This letter will be posted on our website and social media accounts. Should any of your institutions care to respond, we will post your response. We do hope you will reflect on this letter and take our comments in the spirit in which they are intended. We all want to live in the best country Canada can be, but ushering in authoritarianism and censorship, while crushing our fundamental freedoms, is not the best path forward for anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa Bildy, JD, BA <\/p>\n\n\n\n Executive Director <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Free Speech Union of Canada<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 RWDSU v. Dolphin Delivery Ltd.<\/em>, 1986 CanLII 5 (SCC), [1986] 2 SCR 573, at para. 12 https:\/\/canlii.ca\/t\/1ftpc<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n