TORONTO -- Controversial Qur'an-burning Pastor Terry Jones has been denied entry into Canada.

Sun News reports the Gainsville, FL, pastor was held for four hours at the Detroit-Windsor, ON, crossing Thursday and turned away by Canada Border Services.

He was scheduled to take part in a debate at Queen's Park Thursday evening with local imam Steve Rockwell about the film, Innocence of Muslims. The event is set for 6:30 p.m. and expected to continue.

Jones' car was reportedly searched and he was questioned about whether he had a copy of the controversial film, which has caused deadly protests around the world.

Jones told QMI Agency on Wednesday that he was optimistic he would be allowed to enter Canada.

"There has been, at this point, no problems, just a lot of people are questioning that. We have not been contacted and don't anticipate any problems."

Jones gained international attention in 2010 for his plan to burn copies of the Qur'an on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

He backed down at the time, but burned the Muslim holy book last April and was fined by Gainesville Fire Rescue for burning books without authorization.