Controversial singer cancels sold-out Montreal and Toronto shows due to criminal inadmissibility
On Tuesday, February 24, American R&B singer Chris Brown announced he would be cancelling his Canadian tour dates in Montreal and Toronto after being deemed criminally inadmissible to Canada on account of his criminal record. Brown was scheduled to perform this week at Montreal’s Bell Centre and Toronto’s Air Canada Centre with fellow artists Trey Songz and Tyga.
Brown broke the news on Tuesday afternoon via Twitter, telling his 14 million followers, “Unfortunately I will not be able to perform in front of sold out crowds in Montreal & Toronto.” He followed with a second tweet to explain, “The good people of the Canadian government wouldn’t allow me entry. I’ll be back this summer and will hopefully see all my Canadian fans!”
Although he subsequently deleted both tweets, concert promoters Evenko and LiveNation corroborated the news online and informed ticketholders that they would be reimbursed.
Brown’s current tour, which concludes in Virginia in March, is not the first occasion on which he has had to cancel performances in Canada due to criminal inadmissibility. Last summer, he was also denied entry to Canada and had to drop out of Toronto rapper Drake’s OVO Festival at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. The previous year, Brown was forced to cancel his summer shows in Winnipeg, Toronto, Saint John, and Halifax, where he was slated to headline at the Energy Rush festival. While concert promoters cited Brown’s personal and health-related issues, it became known that a number of prominent sponsors had pulled out, including Rogers and Molson Coors Brewing Company.
Criminally inadmissible to Canada
Brown is one of many celebrities and public figures who have famously been denied entry to Canada on account of their criminally inadmissible to Canada status. In February of 2009, Brown was arrested, tried, and pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge after a highly publicized case of domestic violence against his then-girlfriend and fellow singer Rihanna. A Los Angeles court sentenced him to five years’ probation. In October 2013, Brown was arrested for another felony assault after hitting a man outside a hotel in Washington, D.C. The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor and Brown was sentenced the following year with a ruling that spared him any further time behind bars.
The singer’s experiences in rehab have included expulsion from a Malibu facility in 2014 after he violated their regulations, including a special rule prohibiting him from approaching within two feet of female residents. Brown has also faced penalties for violating probation, most recently last month when a judge revoked his probation for travelling without approval and failing to perform community service.
Canadian immigration authorities frequently deny foreign nationals entry to Canada due to their criminal inadmissibility status. You may read more about criminal inadmissibility here on our website.
To speak with a Canadian immigration lawyer, contact First Immigration Law Firm toll-free in North America @ 1-855-360-4333.