A planned concert by American Christian musician Sean Feucht at a Parks Canada historic site in Nova Scotia has sparked controversy among local residents and a federal MP.
Feucht, who was described by The Atlantic as "The Christian Rocker at the Center of MAGA" is scheduled to perform Wednesday evening at York Redoubt National Historic Site, a fortification built in 1793 that overlooks Halifax Harbour. The performance marks the beginning of what Feucht has called his "Summer of Revival in the nation of Canada" tour.
Local residents near the historic site have expressed opposition to the event, saying it contradicts Parks Canada's stated values of inclusion and diversity. Several residents told media they had never seen a concert held at the location before and only learned of the event through a Parks Canada email over the weekend warning of potential noise and parking issues.
Feucht, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Congress as a Republican in 2020, has been vocal in his opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access, and critical race theory. He has called for American government policy to be based on traditional Christian values.
Liberal MP Shannon Miedema, who represents the area, has reportedly contacted Parks Canada urging them to cancel the concert after hearing concerns from constituents. In communications with residents, Miedema indicated the event does not align with Parks Canada's core values while acknowledging the importance of free speech.
Parks Canada has not publicly responded to questions about how the concert came to be approved or whether they plan to proceed with the event. If the concert goes ahead as planned, some residents have indicated they will stage a protest.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions around the use of public spaces for events featuring politically divisive figures, particularly at nationally significant historic sites managed by Parks Canada.
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