SACKVILLE, NB: The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announces that a legal warning letter has been issued to Mount Allison University (University) after the institution banned a Christian from campus property to deliver food as part of his paid work unless he agreed to stop sharing his faith.
Somesh Vyas, who also goes by Blaze Wolf, recently converted to Christianity and has since felt called to share his faith in public spaces.
After being asked to stay off campus property, Mr. Vyas complied, keeping his advocacy to the surrounding sidewalks. Nevertheless, on September 11, 2025, he was served with a Trespass Order barring him from the grounds. Mr. Vyas contacted administrators to confirm that he could still deliver food to students living on campus—an activity permitted under section 12.1 of New Brunswick’s Trespass Act. In response, Mr. Vyas was told that he would only be permitted to deliver food if he agreed to “stay away from campus, including the crosswalks, sidewalks and streets” when sharing his faith.
This ultimatum is 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, explains Constitutional lawyer Hatim Kheir. “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 letter warns that the University’s attempt to leverage Mr. Vyas’s livelihood to compel him to cease his religious advocacy, even on public property, amounts to unconstitutional government action.
The letter also states that the order is discriminatory under section 7 of the Human Rights Act, which prohibits notices indicating an intention to discriminate based on religion or creed.
Mr. Vyas expressed his deep disappointment 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.
The letter calls on the institution to retract its ultimatum and to permit Mr. Vyas to fulfil student delivery orders without restricting his right to share his faith in public spaces.
