The Canadian Message Street Preachers
Two message street preachers in Canada - Steven Ravbar and Matthew Carapella - have been in the news off and on since 2015, when Matthew Carapella was influenced to follow the message by Steve Ravbar, a former elementary school teacher. Ravbar was formerly the principal at the private school run by Cloverdale Bibleway in Surrey, BC, Canada.
Charged with alleged hate crimes in British Columbia
On July 24, 2025, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that the two street preachers were arrested in Vancouver, British Columbia, on charges related to promoting hatred during their public evangelism activities. They are accused of mischief "motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression." The incident, which occurred in the city's downtown area, involved the individuals allegedly making inflammatory and discriminatory remarks targeting the LGBTQ+ community, leading to complaints from passersby and subsequent police intervention. Authorities responded to reports of the preachers using amplified sound equipment to broadcast messages deemed homophobic and derogatory, prompting their detention under Canada's hate crime laws.
According to the report, the preachers were standing on a busy street corner, engaged in what they described as religious outreach. Witnesses reported hearing statements condemning homosexuality as an "abomination" and linked it to societal ills. This escalated into a public disturbance. Vancouver Police Department officers arrived after multiple calls from concerned citizens, citing violations of local bylaws, and potentially breaching the Canadian Criminal Code's provisions on hate propaganda.
Read the CBC report here.
Problems in London, Ontario
On January 24, 2020, the CBC reported on an incident involving the two street preachers, Matthew Carapella and David Ravbar, who were arrested near Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. The preachers, known for their controversial and confrontational style of evangelism, were reportedly causing a disturbance by making inflammatory remarks, particularly targeting women.
The situation escalated when campus security received multiple complaints about their behavior, which included insults directed at female students. Although the preachers were not on university property, security personnel contacted the Kingston Police to address the situation. The police intervened, leading to the arrest of both individuals for causing a public disturbance.
This incident was part of a broader pattern of confrontations involving the street preachers, who have faced numerous complaints in various locations, including London, Ontario. Their aggressive approach to preaching has drawn criticism from community members and local authorities alike.
Read the article here
Watch the video here
In April 2019, the CBC initially reported on the pair, who were known for their aggressive evangelism, often targeting passersby with confrontational messages, particularly aimed at women. Their presence has sparked significant backlash from the community.
In reaction to the pairs actions, the City of London introduced a new bylaw intended to regulate the actions of any "street preachers"' in an attempt to balance free speech with public safety concerns. Local residents have expressed frustration over the preachers' tactics, which many find disturbing and intrusive. The pair have engaged in physical confrontations resulting in numerous complaints being lodged by citizens.
Read the article here
Footnotes