The Quebec Superior Court has rejected a motion by the City of Montreal to dismiss a judicial review application brought by Church Ministerial Restoration, marking a significant preliminary victory for religious freedom and freedom of expression in Canada.

The case stems from a $2,500 fine imposed by municipal authorities after the church hosted an outdoor worship event last summer led by American Christian worship leader Sean Feucht. City officials classified the gathering as an unpermitted concert that violated local zoning bylaws, a designation the church disputes.

By allowing the judicial review to proceed, the court has opened the door for closer scrutiny of whether municipal regulations were applied in a way that infringed on constitutionally protected rights, including freedom of religion and peaceful assembly. Legal observers say the ruling does not decide the merits of the case but represents an important step in allowing the church’s arguments to be fully heard.

The case has attracted the attention of several other religious organisations, which have applied to intervene, citing concerns about the broader implications for civil liberties and the treatment of faithbased gatherings across Canada.

The outcome of the judicial review could set an important precedent for how municipalities regulate religious events and balance bylaw enforcement with fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.