Christian convert shared his faith while delivering food to students
Somesh Vyas, who also goes by Blaze Wolf, moved to Canada from India in 2017 as a university student, attracted by Canada’s reputation for free expression and open dialogue. After meeting his wife at university, the couple married in 2019 and made Canada their home.
Deeply interested in philosophy and debate, Mr. Vyas said he admired Western traditions of reasoned discussion and individual liberty. Following what he described as a lifelong search for truth, he experienced what he called a “road to Damascus” moment and converted to Christianity.
Since then, he has devoted much of his time to sharing his faith and engaging others in conversations about morality, philosophy, and the meaning of life. He regularly spoke with people near Mount Allison University while also earning income by delivering food to students living on campus, trading in the financial markets, and occasionally preaching outside local bars.
University barred Christian from campus unless he stopped sharing his faith
After university officials instructed Mr. Vyas to stay off campus property, he complied and continued speaking with people from nearby public sidewalks.
Nevertheless, on September 11, 2025, Mount Allison University served him with a Trespass Order prohibiting him from entering university property. When Mr. Vyas later contacted the University to confirm that he could continue delivering food to students living on campus—an activity permitted under section 12.1 of New Brunswick’s Trespass Act—administrators informed him that he would only be allowed to do so if he agreed to “stay away from campus, including the crosswalks, sidewalks and streets” when sharing his Christian faith.
Mr. Vyas said he was deeply disappointed at being silenced in a place he once associated with open dialogue. “I came to Canada 10 years ago seeking freedom; a society where individuals can freely express ideas, using open discourse to seek truth,” he said.
“I am deeply dismayed to find that today I cannot walk onto a public university campus where I went to school, sit on the grass and have discussions on philosophy, politics and religion,” he added.
Lawyers warned university its actions violated the Charter
On October 22, 2025, lawyers funded by the Justice Centre sent a legal warning letter to Mount Allison University arguing that its actions violated Mr. Vyas’s freedoms of religion and expression under sections 2(a) and 2(b) of the Charter.
The warning letter argued that the University unlawfully attempted to use Mr. Vyas’s livelihood to pressure him into giving up his religious expression, even when speaking in public spaces. It also alleged that the University’s ultimatum violated section 7 of New Brunswick’s Human Rights Act, which prohibits notices expressing an intention to discriminate based on religion or creed.
Constitutional lawyer Hatim Kheir said this ultimatum represents an unlawful attempt to use statutory power to restrict freedom of religion and expression protected under sections 2(a) and 2(b) of the Charter. “When large institutions, like universities, use the powers granted to them by the government to regulate public behaviour they are engaging in government activity and can be made subject to the Charter.”
The warning letter called on the University to withdraw its ultimatum and allow Mr. Vyas to deliver food to students without requiring him to surrender his right to share his faith in public spaces.
The University has not taken any steps to enforce its trespass notice.