Christian conservative group Action4Canada lobbied for review of books in Alberta schools
The president of the Library Association of Alberta believes a Christian lobby group may have played a role in the province's targeting of 'sexually explicit' books found in school libraries.
Laura Winton pointed to posts on the Action4Canada website, where the group pats itself on the back for its 'behind the scenes' lobbying of the Alberta government over books its members find objectionable.
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Winnipeg Free Press
14 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Singer's upcoming performance controversial
As of this writing, Sean Feucht — the controversial right-wing and pro-Trump evangelical Christian worship leader — is still slated to perform in Winnipeg on Aug. 20. Originally, he was scheduled to play and preach in Central Park. But the city refused to issue him a permit after determining it was not feasible due to the large number of people (2,000) Feucht claimed would be there. In denying him a permit, Winnipeg joined other cities across Canada that either refused him a permit or cancelled previously-issued permissions to play in public parks and other settings due to his anti-COCID lockdown, anti-Black Lives Matter and anti-LGBTTQ+ rhetoric. Jose Luis Magana / The Associated Press files Christian musician Sean Feucht sings during a rally at the National Mall in Washington, Oct. 25, 2020. In those other locations, Feucht found private places to play and preach — which is his right, just as people in this country have a right to invite him to perform. He might do the same in Winnipeg, too. While his visit has prompted a lot of media attention, this is not the first time the controversial singer has been to Canada. He sang and preached in Edmonton in 2022 and Calgary, Vancouver and Ottawa in 2023. But his presence back then didn't generate much in the way of media attention. There are a number of worrisome aspects to Feucht's visit, including how some might be tempted to lump Canadian evangelicals together with his brand of evangelical Christianity. In fact, he is quite unlike the majority of evangelical Christians in this country. Although it's true that most Canadian evangelicals lean towards the Conservative Party, many others vote Liberal and NDP. They are not at all like their co-religionists in the U.S., where about 80 per cent of evangelicals voted for Donald Trump. In fact, I suspect most Canadian evangelicals would be very uncomfortable with Feucht's in-your-face style. That's not how the vast majority would conduct themselves in public. It's also worth noting that, as far I can tell, Feucht was not invited to Canada by any Canadian group. He says he was 'sent' to Canada to bring his message, although he doesn't say who sent him. He seems to have decided to come here all on his own. Before deciding to come, it might have helped if Feucht had done some homework about Canada. If he had, he would have discovered that Canada's culture and context is not at all like the U.S. While his Fox News style views may be acceptable to many in the U.S., they are not welcome by most people here — just like Trump's talk of Canada being the 51st state is off-putting to the vast majority of Canadians. What Feucht also gets wrong is assuming what's true for him as a Christian in the U.S. must be true all over the world. It's the worst kind of American hubris, the kind that drives the rest of us crazy. If he had done a bit of research, Feucht would realize his not being persecuted for his faith or beliefs. It's because of how he shares them. That's not how Canadians like to talk to each other over difficult and challenging subjects. For proof, consider that many religious groups are also opposed to abortion and have views on LGBTTQ+ that are different from the majority of Canadians. But nobody calls for their services to be cancelled or prevents them from holding public rallies, even though they might attract protestors. And why is that? It's because unlike Feucht, most religious groups in Canada that hold positions contrary to public opinion are respectful in sharing their views (even if a few on the fringe might be shrill in trying to force those minority views on others). So where does this leave us? First, the uproar over Feucht should remind Canadian religious groups about the importance of respectful dialogue and active listening when it comes to difficult and controversial issues. Everyone has a right to our opinions, as long as they don't venture into the area of hate, but we also have an obligation to hear each other and find ways to live together peacefully in this land. Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. Second, Feucht may believe he is coming to bring 'revival' to Canada, but the opposite will likely happen. Sure, there may be a few Christians who like what he says. But research consistently shows that one of the main reasons people leave Christianity is due to the harsh, judgemental, anti-LGBTTQ+ and pro-Trump positions taken by many evangelical Christians in the U.S. — the same ones that Feucht touts and represents. His coming, in other words, may cause more people to decide against Christianity than to be interested in it. But maybe Feucht's coming to Canada will end up being a gift to Christians in this country, in a backwards sort of way by causing them to reflect on the best ways to show faith to others. Is it to be loud and brash, or is it best to quietly be of service in their communities? I think most will choose the latter. And his visit could prompt Christians in Canada to ask if Feucht doesn't represent what faith looks like to them, then what does a Canadian version of Christianity looks like? If that happens, then maybe his visit, and all the negative media attention it produced, will be worth it. faith@ The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks! BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Calgary Herald
'Alberta came through': Permit approved for pro-Trump Christian singer's Edmonton show
Christian singer Sean Feucht speaks before his performance at Ministerios Restauración in Montreal on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Allen McInnis / MONTREAL GAZETTE) A pro-Trump and Christian musician whose prior Canadian events have drawn cancellations and protests says his permit to perform at the Alberta legislature grounds in Edmonton next week has been approved by the provincial government. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors American singer and songwriter Sean Feucht, 41, describes himself as a musician, missionary, author and activist. Six of his events in eastern Canada earlier this summer were cancelled and rescheduled for alternate venues after local authorities pulled permits, citing concerns over crowd size and protesters. He is scheduled to return to Canada next week, including a stop at the bandshell on the legislature grounds in Edmonton on Aug. 22. Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again On Monday night, Feucht posted a video to social media stating that Alberta Infrastructure had approved the permits needed for the performance to go ahead. 'We got the permit after six cancelled cities,' he said. 'Alberta came through. We're coming to Edmonton.' Feucht has threatened lawsuits in response to the cancellations, arguing his Charter rights to practise religion and freedom of speech were being infringed on. Critics have cited Feucht's views on the LGBTQ+ community, which he has called 'a cult bent on perverting and destroying the innocence of every child they can,' as well as on abortion laws, which he said 'feverishly promote the slaughter of the unborn and the newborn.' Feucht ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate for Congress in 2020. Postmedia has contacted Alberta Infrastructure seeking comment. It previously has said Feucht had submitted an incomplete application and that it was helping his organizers properly complete the required paperwork. The department added that ongoing security assessments are done for all scheduled events held at the legislature grounds. The guidelines for use of the legislature grounds state applications must be submitted four weeks in advance, with applicants mandated to have at least $2 million in liability insurance, a security plan, and proof of permits and licences, among other requirements. Feucht's scheduled events in Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Quebec City, Vaughn, Ont., and Montreal were cancelled and moved to an alternate venue after permits for the public venues were revoked due to safety concerns or local codes of conduct.
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
'Alberta came through': Permit approved for pro-Trump Christian singer' Edmonton show
A pro-Trump and Christian musician whose prior Canadian events have drawn cancellations and protests says his permit to perform at the Alberta legislature grounds in Edmonton next week has been approved by the provincial government. Article content American singer and songwriter Sean Feucht, 41, describes himself as a musician, missionary, author and activist. Article content Article content Six of his events in eastern Canada earlier this summer were cancelled and rescheduled for alternate venues after local authorities pulled permits, citing concerns over crowd size and protesters. Article content Article content He is scheduled to return to Canada next week, including a stop at the bandshell on the legislature grounds in Edmonton on Aug. 22. Article content Article content 'We got the permit after six cancelled cities,' he said. 'Alberta came through. We're coming to Edmonton.' Article content Feucht has threatened lawsuits in response to the cancellations, arguing his Charter rights to practise religion and freedom of speech were being infringed on. Article content Critics have cited Feucht's views on the LGBTQ+ community, which he has called 'a cult bent on perverting and destroying the innocence of every child they can,' as well as on abortion laws, which he said 'feverishly promote the slaughter of the unborn and the newborn.' Article content Article content Article content It previously has said Feucht had submitted an incomplete application and that it was helping his organizers properly complete the required paperwork. Article content The department added that ongoing security assessments are done for all scheduled events held at the legislature grounds. Article content The guidelines for use of the legislature grounds state applications must be submitted four weeks in advance, with applicants mandated to have at least $2 million in liability insurance, a security plan, and proof of permits and licences, among other requirements. Article content Feucht's scheduled events in Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Quebec City, Vaughn, Ont., and Montreal were cancelled and moved to an alternate venue after permits for the public venues were revoked due to safety concerns or local codes of conduct.
