Records show Parks Canada caved to activists when cancelling Sean Feucht

Access to information documents show that Parks Canada cancelled American pastor Sean Feucht’s Halifax concert after heavy political and public pressure.

Source: Facebook (Sean Feucht)

Access to information documents show that Parks Canada cancelled American pastor Sean Feucht’s Halifax concert after heavy political and public pressure, despite officials voicing internal concerns about clamping down on freedom of expression.

The records reveal that officials warned there were “legal and reputational risks” before invoking safety concerns, even though there was no evidence of violent or unlawful protest. The emails suggest the “safety” rationale was used as a pretext to justify a decision made largely to relieve public and political pressure.

The Free Speech Union of Canada shared the documents with True North showing that complaints began arriving within days of the public awareness of Feucht’s event. Dozens of residents and local officials objected to allowing Feucht to perform on federal land.

Messages described him as “anti-LGBTQ+,” “far-right,” and “a threat to inclusion.” CBC reported on the backlash, and municipal, provincial, and federal politicians began calling for Parks Canada to revoke the permit.

Internal records show that Parks Canada initially stood by its decision to allow the event to proceed. In an early draft statement, officials said the permit “meets Parks Canada’s policies and procedures for special events” and that issuing it “does not imply endorsement of the views or beliefs of any individual or group.”

The statement also affirmed the agency’s commitment to “equity, diversity, and inclusion” while respecting “freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”

Two days before the event was scheduled, a Parks Canada internal morning email recommended revoking the permit because of “legal and reputational risk” without mentioning safety concerns. Later that night, another message asked whether there were “conditions associated with the permit … that would allow you to cancel … without making the link to the individual.”

The same note suggested that the agency “could” cite safety concerns related to potential protests as a reason for cancellation.

A risk assessment prepared that day described a “medium” chance of protesters gathering or trying to enter the site. The same level of risk was assigned to a “crowd surge during headliner performances.”

That document proposed mitigation measures such as police coordination, crowd barriers, and trained staff. None of the public correspondence reviewed by the agency included concrete threats of violence. On the contrary, several people said they intended to protest peacefully.

The next day, an internal message referred to a CBC report that mentioned planned demonstrations. It said the agency was “not confident that Parks Canada can reasonably ensure safety during this event.”

Parks Canada said that one source at Halifax Regional Police told them that they wouldn’t be able to provide any on-site patrol officers, while another source said they’d be able to provide a maximum of 3 officers. That afternoon, Parks Canada informed Feucht’s team that the permit was being revoked.

The written notice cited “confirmation of planned protests,” “input from law enforcement,” and “security challenges with the configuration of York Redoubt.”

After the decision, the agency sent its media statement to those who had written in opposition. Many replied with thanks and congratulations. One response from a Parks Canada representative described the cancellation as “a relief” and “an opportunity for learning as we move forward.”

The documents show that Parks Canada’s original rationale for cancelling the concert focused on reputational risk before shifting to safety and security. They also show that the protests being discussed were largely expected to be peaceful and that the concert organizers had committed to a family-friendly event.