Latest news with #CharterofRightsandFreedoms
a day ago
- Entertainment
How U.S. Christian musician Sean Feucht put freedom of expression to the test in Canada
Had you heard of Sean Feucht before this month? If you hadn't, you likely have now. The U.S.-based Christian musician wasn't exactly a household name or selling out the biggest concert venues in this country, but his recent concert tour in Eastern and Central Canada has put him in the spotlight in the past couple of weeks, as permits for some of his shows have been revoked amid an outcry that his controversial views are being given a platform in public spaces. The 41-year-old preacher and activist has raised the ire of people for his support of U.S. President Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again, or MAGA, movement, and over comments he's made about abortion, critical race theory, 2SLGBTQ+ rights and gender diversity. MAGA musician permit revocations spark public space debate (new window) His supporters, including Canadian politicians like Conservative MPs Michael Barrett (new window) and Andrew Lawton (new window) , have decried what they see as an attack on free speech, conservative viewpoints and religion. While some freedom of expression experts do not agree with Feucht's views in any way, they do see the efforts to cancel his concerts — especially those scheduled to be held in public spaces — as problematic and indicative of how censorship is being used as a means of tackling social issues rather than debating them. Because freedom of expression is so fundamental in a democratic society, we restrict it only in the most extreme cases, said James Turk, director of the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University. WATCH | Multiple permits for Sean Feucht's concert tour denied or revoked: Safety or censorship? Over the course of the past week, Feucht saw permits revoked for his concerts in Halifax (new window) , Charlottetown (new window) , Moncton, N.B. (new window) , Quebec City (new window) , Gatineau, Que. (new window) , and Vaughan, Ont. (new window) — all of which were to be held at public sites. The City of Montreal (new window) attempted to halt his Friday night performance at a church, but it went ahead as scheduled. The church, however, is now facing a $2,500 fine for hosting the event without a permit. Feucht is scheduled to tour several cities in Western Canada late next month, including Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Kelowna, B.C., and Abbotsford, B.C. Turk said that public spaces are different than private venues, whose owners can choose who they do and don't host without violating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. There are a very limited number of reasons why municipal, provincial or federal governments could justify cancelling an event like this, he said, and there would need to be reasonable grounds to believe that the person is going to engage in illegal activity in that space. In most of the cases, officials cited safety and security concerns and not the content of Feucht's shows or his past comments. Enlarge image (new window) A performance by Feucht took place in a church in Montreal on Friday. The City of Montreal attempted to halt his performance, but it went ahead as scheduled. The church is now facing a $2,500 fine for hosting the event without a permit. Photo: Radio-Canada / Violette Cantin But Turk said he doesn't believe Feucht's performance would have created such a threatening situation that local police forces wouldn't be adequate to handle it. I fear that, as in many cases, the use of security as an excuse is just that — an excuse to otherwise to deny what's a fundamental right of freedom of expression in this country, he said. If there was a situation in which tempers could flare if critics or protesters tried to disrupt one of Feucht's shows, government agencies responsible for pubic spaces have an obligation to provide the resources to ensure safety and order, said Stephen Newman, a professor emeritus in the politics department at York University in Toronto. But in an email to CBC News on Monday, he wrote that acting on unspecified concerns and preventing Feucht's concerts from taking place in response to public outcry is akin to what is known as a heckler's veto — in which groups or individuals suppress or shut down (new window) another's speech by means of disruption, intimidation or even violence. LISTEN | Discussing why Quebec City cancelled Sean Feucht's performance (new window) Capitalizing on controversy Feucht may have fewer gigs on his tour schedule, but he just gained a wealth of free publicity, said Dax D'Orazio, a post-doctoral fellow in the University of Guelph's political science department who researches freedom of expression in Canada. If you generally disagree with someone, if you think their expression is harmful, you have to think really long and hard about what the best way to counteract that in society is, he said. Sometimes calling for the cancellation of events Is not always the most strategic way to go about things. Enlarge image (new window) People line up outside a church in the west end of Toronto on Sunday to see Feucht. Hundreds of people attended his show. Photo: CBC D'Orazio said performers like Feucht can earn symbolic capital in public discourse if they can claim they're a victim. Matthew Taylor, a senior Christian scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies in Baltimore who has written about Feucht, shared that sentiment. He's been doing these provocative, in your face, intentionally trying to draw a response from local officials, even trying to get barred or banned, and then he presents that as persecution, that he is the victim of anti-Christian bias, he told CBC News last week. Feucht, for his part, celebrated that he and his followers were triumphant over attempts to scuttle the performances, having rebooked some to other venues or properties. The plan of the enemy has backfired BIG TIME up here!! Feucht wrote in a Facebook post (new window) on Thursday. Just like the book of Acts, what the activists tried to stop has now gone viral — IT BACKFIRED!! They are having to report on worship and the preaching of the gospel every night! We did not seek this controversy — yet God will use it for His glory!, he said in a separate post (new window) that same day, noting it was the third year in a row of bringing his "Let Us Worship" movement to Canada. WATCH | Feucht's show goes on after permit revoked for national historic site near Halifax: 'Price of a democracy' Both Turk and D'Orazio said they see a bad precedent being set by public agencies revoking permits for a divisive figure like Feucht. There could end up being a tit-for-tat situation, D'Orazio said, in which people or groups holding opposing views can target one another using Feucht as an example of public agencies shutting down events just because people on one side are rallying against the other. It doesn't matter if people view Feucht as spreading hate, Turk said, because it's unlikely anything he says would rise to the level of being considered hate speech in the eyes of Canada's justice system. Turk said in the case of someone crossing that line, they should indeed be prevented from having a platform. But beyond that, he said, freedom of expression must be protected for everyone equally — regardless of which views we hold. The price of a democracy is we're always exposed to divergent views, some of which we love, some of which we hate. Nick Logan (new window) · CBC News · Senior Writer Nick Logan is a senior writer with CBC based in Vancouver. He is a multi-platform reporter and producer, with a particular focus on international news. You can reach out to him at With files from Anjuli Patil
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Potential Alberta separation referendum question referred to judge for approval
Published Jul 29, 2025 • 2 minute read The Canadian flag and an Alberta provincial flag fly together in Cochrane. Gavin Young/Postmedia file EDMONTON — A potential referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada has been referred to a judge for confirmation that the question doesn't violate the Constitution. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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 Toronto Sun 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 Toronto Sun 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 Don't have an account? Create Account The proposed question seeks a yes or no answer to: 'Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?' Alberta's chief electoral officer Gordon McClure, in a news release Monday, said provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. McClure's release doesn't specify which, if any, specific sections he's unsure about and a spokesperson for Elections Alberta didn't provide details in response to questions Monday. The potential referendum question was submitted to the electoral officer earlier this month by Mitch Sylvestre, an executive with the Alberta Prosperity Project, a non-profit group that has been touring the province promoting independence. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Sylvestre, who didn't immediately respond to an interview request Monday, has said he thinks interest among Albertans in holding a separation referendum increases with every speaking event his group organizes. 'The more people that hear what the message is, the more people that will be in favour,' he said in an interview last month. The Alberta Prosperity Project said on social media that McClure's decision was a 'delay tactic' and that the group would respond in court if need be. The electoral officer's release says the Court of King's Bench will schedule a proceeding for the matter and that Sylvestre and the provincial justice minister have been notified of his decision to refer the question to a judge. A spokesperson for Elections Alberta said that once the question is assessed in court, McClure will have 30 days to determine if the proposed question meets other legislated requirements. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If his question is approved, Sylvestre and the Alberta Prosperity Project would need to collect 177,000 signatures in four months to put the question of Alberta separation on a ballot. In June, the chief electoral officer approved a competing question that seeks to have Alberta make it official policy that the province will never separate from Canada. That petition, put forward by former Alberta Progressive Conservative deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, was approved before new provincial rules took effect that lowered the threshold for citizen-initiated referendums to get on ballots. Lukaszuk's proposal also differs in that it seeks a referendum on a proposed policy — rather than a potential constitutional referendum like Sylvestre's proposal — and he'll need to collect nearly 300,000 signatures in 90 days. The former deputy premier confirmed Monday that signature collection efforts for his proposed policy referendum were expected to begin in the coming days. MLB Sunshine Girls Celebrity Toronto & GTA Columnists
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Possible referendum question on Alberta separation sent to judge for approval
EDMONTON — A potential referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada has been referred to a judge for confirmation that the question doesn't violate the Constitution. The proposed question seeks a yes or no answer to: 'Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?' Alberta's chief electoral officer Gordon McClure, in a news release Monday, said provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. McClure's release doesn't say which, if any, specific sections he's unsure about and his office didn't immediately respond to questions asking for details. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The potential referendum question was submitted to the electoral officer earlier this month by Mitch Sylvestre, an executive with the Alberta Prosperity Project, a non-profit group that has been touring the province promoting independence. Sylvestre, who didn't immediately respond to an interview request Monday, has said he thinks interest among Albertans in holding a separation referendum increases with every speaking event his group organizes. 'The more people that hear what the message is, the more people that will be in favour,' he said in an interview last month. The Alberta Prosperity Project said on social media that McClure's decision was a 'delay tactic' and that the group would respond in court if need be. The electoral officer's release says the Court of King's Bench will schedule a proceeding for the matter and that Sylvestre and the provincial justice minister have been notified of his decision to refer the question to a judge. If his question is approved, Sylvestre and the Alberta Prosperity Project would need to collect 177,000 signatures in four months to put the question of Alberta separation on a ballot. In June, the chief electoral officer approved a competing question that seeks to have Alberta make it official policy that the province will never separate from Canada. That petition, put forward by former Alberta Progressive Conservative deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, was approved before new provincial rules took effect that lowered the threshold for citizen-initiated referendums to get on ballots. Lukaszuk's proposal also differs in that it seeks a referendum on a proposed policy — rather than a potential constitutional referendum like Sylvestre's proposal — and he'll need to collect nearly 300,000 signatures in 90 days. The former deputy premier confirmed Monday that signature collection efforts for his proposed policy referendum were expected to begin in the coming days. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Possible referendum question on Alberta separation sent to judge for approval
Article content EDMONTON — A potential referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada has been referred to a judge for confirmation that the question doesn't violate the Constitution. Article content The proposed question seeks a yes or no answer to: 'Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?' Article content Article content Alberta's chief electoral officer Gordon McClure, in a news release Monday, said provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Article content Article content McClure's release doesn't say which, if any, specific sections he's unsure about and his office didn't immediately respond to questions asking for details. Article content Article content Sylvestre, who didn't immediately respond to an interview request Monday, has said he thinks interest among Albertans in holding a separation referendum increases with every speaking event his group organizes. Article content 'The more people that hear what the message is, the more people that will be in favour,' he said in an interview last month. Article content The Alberta Prosperity Project said on social media that McClure's decision was a 'delay tactic' and that the group would respond in court if need be. Article content Article content The electoral officer's release says the Court of King's Bench will schedule a proceeding for the matter and that Sylvestre and the provincial justice minister have been notified of his decision to refer the question to a judge. Article content Article content If his question is approved, Sylvestre and the Alberta Prosperity Project would need to collect 177,000 signatures in four months to put the question of Alberta separation on a ballot. Article content In June, the chief electoral officer approved a competing question that seeks to have Alberta make it official policy that the province will never separate from Canada. Article content That petition, put forward by former Alberta Progressive Conservative deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, was approved before new provincial rules took effect that lowered the threshold for citizen-initiated referendums to get on ballots. Article content Lukaszuk's proposal also differs in that it seeks a referendum on a proposed policy — rather than a potential constitutional referendum like Sylvestre's proposal — and he'll need to collect nearly 300,000 signatures in 90 days.
Global News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Potential Alberta separation referendum question referred to judge for approval
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook A potential referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada has been referred to a judge for confirmation that the question doesn't violate the Constitution. The proposed Alberta separatism question seeks a yes or no answer to whether people agree with the province becoming a sovereign country and ceasing to be part of Canada. Alberta's chief electoral officer says in a news release that provincial laws require potential referendum questions to respect more than 30 sections of the Constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Story continues below advertisement The potential referendum question was submitted to the electoral officer earlier this month by Mitch Sylvestre, an executive with the Alberta Prosperity Project who has been touring the province promoting independence. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy If approved, Sylvestre would need to collect 177,000 signatures in four months to put the question of Alberta separation on a ballot. In June, Alberta's electoral officer approved a competing question that seeks to have Alberta make it official policy that the province will never separate from Canada. — More to come…
