Parks Canada didn’t know controversial U.S. singer was set to perform at York Redoubt: docs

Christian musician Sean Feucht of California sings to the crowd during a rally at the National Mall in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jose Luis Magana)

Overlooking the entrance to the Halifax Harbour is a 200-year-forification known as York Redoubt.

The national historic site is about a 20-minute drive from the city’s downtown.

Most are drawn to the spot to learn about history, catch a glimpse of the great views of the Halifax Harbour, or take their dog for a walk along the trails.

The site is run by Parks Canada, a federal agency not known for courting controversy.

That is, until they agreed to give a permit to Burn 24/7 Canada for a concert featuring controversial U.S.-based singer Sean Feucht.

Documents released

Burn 24/7 Canada had approached Parks Canada on June 18, requesting a Special Activity Permit for a concert slated to take place on July 23 at York Redoubt.

The government agency gave its final approval just one week before the event.

In documents obtained by CTV News through an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request, the permit shows Parks Canada wasn’t apprised of who the main act for “Revive in ’25 Let us Worship” would be.

The documents also show the government agency didn’t ask.

In the more than 1,560 pages released under the ATIP request, Parks Canada faced a great deal of criticism by many for issuing the permit, and then by others for pulling it off the table.

Feucht, the 42-year-old singer at the centre of the storm, describes himself as a musician, missionary, author and activist. Feucht has spoken out against “gender ideology,” abortion and the LGBTQ+ community, and his religious and political views have grabbed the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

Community notice

On the Friday before the event, a Parks Canada employee suggested they send out a notice to residents living nearby.

“Greetings from Parks Canada,” communications officer Jodi Hawkins wrote. “I’m writing to let you know about an upcoming private event taking place at York Redoubt National Historic Site.”

It went on to describe a private music event being held in the main parking lot on July 23.

Setup was to begin starting around 9 a.m., with the concert taking place between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The removal of the stage, tents, portable toilets and other outdoor concert equipment would wrap up by 10 p.m.

“While public access to the site will not be affected, please expect a decrease in available parking and increased activity and noise throughout the day and evening,” Hawkins wrote. “We appreciate your patience and understanding and welcome any questions you may have.”

That email went out shortly after 1 p.m. on July 18. It was after that, through a little research by recipients, that word got out that Feucht would be performing. In the ensuing hours and days, that word spread rapidly.

On July 21, just before 9 a.m., an email from a Parks Canada employee illustrates where things were headed.

“FYI – a bit of a storm hit last evening,” said Jennifer Nicholson referring to word of the concert.

A handover email from the previous night showed Parks Canada riding a wave of negativity:

“I am writing as a concerned resident of Fergusons Cove regarding a deeply troubling event reportedly being held on July 23 at York Redoubt National Historic Site by Sean Feucht, an American evangelical figure known for promoting divisive, exclusionary ideologies,” wrote a resident on July 20.

As the days passed, the federal agency received hundreds of calls, emails and critical online posts. Many weren’t exactly polite.

“Could someone please inform me who was the knuckleheaded bozo who approved a concert by an extreme right wing MAGA Christian at York Redoubt to be held on July 23?” wrote another resident on July 22.

Controversy spreads

And Parks Canada wasn’t the only government department feeling the heat.

Halifax Coun. Patty Cuttell, who represents the area, also heard from displeased constituents.

In an email to local Member of Parliament Shannon Miedema, Cuttell wondered what she knew about this concert, and whether Parks Canada was aware of the “controversial issues surrounding this event.”

In response, Miedema’s office shared information they received from Parks Canada about special events and why they rent out facilities like York Redoubt:

“The rental of event space at Parks Canada administered places in the HRM plays a significant role in the maintenance of these public cultural and historical assets,” an email showed in part. “The revenue generated by larger events, such as concerts, helps provide smaller, community events access throughout the year. Event rentals also help Parks Canada deliver on its mandate to make Canada’s historic sites relevant to a wide and diverse audience.”

As reaction to the concert continued to snowball, those on the receiving end of the calls, emails and social media backlash were hoping for a solution.

A few days before the concert, Miedema’s office told Parks Canada officials they understood “many things are still in the works,” that the federal minister responsible for Parks Canada was involved, but putting a stop to the concert would be preferable.

“As mentioned, MP Miedema and our office are advocating internally that this not move ahead and are remaining with that position,” an email from Miedema’s office said.

It should be noted, from the documents obtained by CTV News, the July 23 concert would have been the first of its kind held at York Redoubt. Smaller events like weddings do take place at the site.

Concert fallout widens

As the hours passed, more people were reaching out to Parks Canada. It became apparent that a protest was being organized, which elevated the angst among Parks Canada staff. As the fallout widened, there were plenty of behind-the-scenes conversations.

In one late-night email on July 21, Parks Canada’s Eastern Region law enforcement operations manager, Robert Ouellette, wondered if the “proponent of the activity met all of the conditions associated to the permit (ex: proof of insurance or any others) that would allow you to cancel the permit without making the link to the individual.”

Ouellette also brought up the safety component.

“You could also make the decision to cancel the permit for safety concerns, now that you have been informed of potential counter protests, which may put the safety of the public, protester and those attending the event at risk,” he wrote in an email to colleagues. “It will draw attention to Parks Canada obviously, but there is going to be some negative attention no matter what I suspect.”

In closing, Ouellette said they had received intelligence from their internet investigator who was keeping on an eye on the file.

“There is some info on social media, but much of it linked to allegations and his presence at major events associated to the Christianity and Maga movement in the US,” he wrote of Sean Feucht in conclusion to this email.

Special event application

In the application, organizers described the concert as a free, all ages family-friendly event open to the public, featuring live Christian music.

In the event description, Burn 24/7 Canada told Parks Canada, “Revive in ’25 Let us Worship” would bring churches from different communities in the area together “to pray for the city and the region.”

“There will be leaders from local churches and ministries coming together in unity to pray and then lots of music and celebration,” the application reads. “There will be tanks of water for anyone who would like to be baptized.”

As part of the permit, the organization also said there would be six 10x10 tents for volunteers, a quiet space, a place to pray, sound booth, and a merchandise tent to fundraise.

The anticipated number of people who would be attending was placed at 2,000, but later figures showed it could be 1,500.

The cost of renting York Redoubt for the event was $3,000 plus HST. The organizers were asked to pay a deposit of $1,500 up front, with the remainder prior to the event.

Burn 24/7 Canada was also required to obtain public liability insurance. A note in the application said: “Minimum coverage of $5 million per incident in required but this amount may change depending on the size and scope of your event.”

At no point in the application did Burn 24/7 Canada share who the feature musical act would be.

Security concerns

Initially, the security plan called for volunteers to staff the event, then it evolved to include two off-duty Halifax police officers.

With protests expected, Parks Canada security reached out to Halifax Regional Police (HRP).

The day before the concert, HRP told Parks Canada it didn’t have the resources, that other operations required their attention, but if there was a problem, a community response officer was available if needed.

Later, HRP agreed to provide a maximum of three paid duty officers, saying more police would be available should an urgent situation arise.

In an email to Parks Canada, the Commissionaires of Nova Scotia raised concerns of their own, especially if a protest broke out.

“My mobile guard is scheduled as per normal for a 2000 lock up and I do not want that individual caught up in a protest or any form of conflict,” wrote Amanda Connors, manager of Commissionaires Atlantic operations centre.

Permit revoked

In a briefing note to Parks Canada’s executive director for the Atlantic region, and senior vice-president of operations, the decision for revoking the permit was outlined, and ultimately took safety issues into account.

Alannah Phillips, Park’s Canada’s field unit superintendent for Mainland Nova Scotia, made the decision, saying she didn’t feel the current safety plan would “address the level of protest and unrest that the public is expressing will occur if the event goes forward in their correspondence to Parks Canada.”

In her decision, Phillips cited emerging concerns raised in emails and telephone calls, including Feucht’s “apparent political affiliations with far-right movements, including Proud Boys.”

She mentioned hostile emails, protests by members of the public, and on social media, threats made to “one of the event performers.”

Media briefing notes

In briefing notes used in the event Parks Canada officials were questioned about cancelling the concert and its impact on free speech, a suggested response, rather than answer that directly, could include factors related to safety and security.

“The permit was revoked due to evolving safety and security considerations based on confirmation of planned protests, input from law enforcement, and the security challenges with the configuration of York Redoubt which is located on a rugged terrain,” a Parks Canada official wrote.

One talking point referenced York Redoubt’s configuration. If asked, a spokesperson could point out, “York Redoubt National Historic Site has only one point of vehicle entry/exit, increasing risk of exiting/entrance of concert goers, if protests did occur.”

Burn 24/7 response

After Parks Canada cancelled the permit, a Burn 24/7 Canada representative thanked Phillips for being “incredibly kind.”

“I know this was hard for you,” the email read. “And as a leader I appreciate how important it is to keep your people safe.”

The representative, whose name was blocked out in the Access to Information and Privacy process, said they were saddened that lies and rumours escalated to the point where people were endangered.

“I want you to know that I don’t hold any ill will towards you nor towards the misinformed people,” the email said. “I wish the very best for you all. I’m also praying that you’re ok.”

Concert day

Despite the cancellation of the concert, tensions were still running high.

Adding insult to injury, on the morning of the day the show was supposed to be held, the lock to the main gate at York Redoubt was crazy-glued shut, which took a while get open.

Employees had to do a walkthrough on site to figure out if any of the other locks were tampered with.

Anger over pulling permit

As the documents show, many people were opposed to Feucht’s York Redoubt concert, but others were supportive:

“I am extremely disappointed to see that a person is not allowed to earn a living simply because their personal views don’t align with the current government of the day. It’s now gone beyond the point of freedom of speech no longer existing, to the point where freedom of thought is now a thing of the past,” one person wrote on July 23.

“The cancellation of the concert at York Redoubt is a job, the decision is very clearly partisan and anti conservative. Blaming public safety concerns is a transparent scapegoat that rewards the bad behaviour of threatening a peaceful public event,” wrote another on July 29.

Of course, in the digital age, many made their thoughts known by posting online.

“I guess freedom of speech is only permitted if the speech agrees with the left wing. I didn’t complain abut the Pride Parade, which I find ridiculous, and offensive. Let him play, if people want to listen then let them.”

After the York Redoubt permit was revoked, Feucht announced the Halifax-area concert venue would be moved to a site in Shubenacadie, N.S., about 60 kilometres northeast of Halifax, where the singer said hundreds of people showed up.

Cancelled shows

Other shows in the Maritimes, including one in Charlottetown and another in Moncton, were also cancelled.

Quebec City officials cancelled Feucht’s performance at the ExpoCité venue, while the National Capital Commission also cancelled a show in Gatineau, Que.

The permit for the singer’s performance in Vaughan, Ont., was denied, according to a city statement, on the basis of health and safety, as well as community standards and well-being. He did hold an impromptu concert in eastern Ontario in an open field in the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet.

Despite a string of cancellations across the country, Feucht did play several shows, including one in Saskatoon, and one outside the Alberta legislature in Edmonton on Aug. 22. He performed there in front of a mixed crowd of fans and protesters.

No response from officials

CTV News reached out to Burn 24/7 Canada for its reaction to Parks Canada’s decision to revoke the permit, to ask why they chose York Redoubt to hold the concert, and how they felt about the backlash, but didn’t hear back before this article was published.

CTV News also asked Parks Canada why it didn’t inquire who would be playing at the concert when Burn 24/7 Canada filled out its permit request, and whether that kind of information will be required going forward, but it has yet to respond.

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