MONTRÉAL — The City of Montreal has imposed a $2,500 fine on a local church for hosting a concert featuring U.S.-based Christian musician Sean Feucht. The concert took place on Friday night despite the city’s objections and lack of a required permit.

City officials stated that the event contradicted Montreal’s values of inclusion, solidarity, and respect. Philippe Massé, a spokesperson for Mayor Valérie Plante, emphasized that while freedom of expression is a fundamental value, “hateful and discriminatory speech is not acceptable in Montreal.” He confirmed that the church was informed the concert could not proceed.

During the concert, protesters gathered outside the Ministerios Restauración Church in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. Montreal police reported the arrest of a 38-year-old man for obstruction. Additionally, a smoke bomb was reportedly set off inside the church during Feucht’s performance.

Feucht responded to the events on social media, claiming that two smoke bombs were thrown at him during the concert. He criticized the city’s actions, stating, “Now you want (to) fine the church for doing what the church does - WORSHIP. Every Canadian should be embarrassed/concerned with this. No bigger scandal in Canada.”

The church did not provide comments when approached for a response. Feucht was scheduled to perform in Alfred, Ontario, on Saturday and then in the Toronto area on Sunday. He describes himself as a musician, missionary, author, and activist. His views on issues such as “gender ideology,” abortion, and the LGBTQ+ community have drawn attention from political figures, including those in former President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Atlantic magazine recently labeled Feucht a “MAGA superstar,” noting his advocacy for the fusion of church and state. Complaints from residents and planned protests have led to the cancellation of all six concerts on the eastern Canadian leg of his “Revive in 25” tour. This includes a performance that was set to take place at a national historic site in Halifax, which was canceled by Parks Canada due to “heightened public safety concerns.”

Feucht announced his Montreal concert on Thursday after a previous show in Quebec City was canceled. A spokesperson for the mayor indicated that the concert was arranged at the last minute without proper notice. Feucht has claimed he is a victim of “Christian persecution,” alleging that activists across Canada have caused the cancellation of his permits.

He stated, “A couple crazy activists started raising up all of this ruckus across Canada, and one by one all of our permits were cancelled out of safety concerns. Here we are in the middle of a firestorm.”

Despite the challenges, Feucht has a series of concerts planned in western Canada for August. The Ministerios Restauración Church claims on its Spanish-language website to have 700 congregants whose lives have been transformed through its ministry.