University of Regina Students’ Union files lawsuit against Just Bins for defamation

WATCH: The University of Regina Students’ Union is taking legal again against Just Bins for allegedly defaming its reputation. Sierra D’Souza Butts explains.

The University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU) and its general manager are taking legal action against Just Bins for allegedly defaming the non-profit’s reputation through online posts on social media.

In addition to suing the Regina waste disposal company, the lawsuit has also been filed against former URSU president, Haris Khan, who sat in his role from March to September 2018 before resigning due to personal reasons.

According to the Statement of Claim, the defendants’ “online publications are false, irresponsible, unfair, and malicious attack(s) on the plaintiffs’ reputation.” Adding, Just Bins and Khan have both “falsely and maliciously” published statements which the plaintiffs assert to be defamatory.

While CTV News is not publishing the content in the posts at issue for legal reasons, the Statement of Claim says the alleged “defamatory statements” give the average, ordinary person the impression that the plaintiffs are “engaged in unethical practices; mismanaging student funds and student affairs; have acted in a corrupt and/or underhanded manner; have manipulated elections; are not acting in the best interests of students…”

The defendants have not yet filed statements of defense, and none of the plaintiffs’ allegations have been tested in court.

Court documents say URSU sent cease and desist letters to Just Bins as early as April 29, 2025, who replied indicating the posts had been removed. However, it states, many of the posts remain and new ones have been posted since.

Adding, “the defamatory statements attack the Plaintiff’s morals, good standing, honesty, integrity, cast suspicion on their character and falsely and maliciously lead people in the community to believe the inferential meanings…”

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It goes on to say that “the plaintiffs have been, and continue to be subjected to ridicule, hatred, odium, and contempt, and have suffered and continue to suffer damages to their reputation.” Adding, they have “been injured in their feelings, in their personal and professional character and reputation…” and “continue to suffer from hurt, humiliation and embarrassment.”

CTV News has reached out to URSU and its general manager, Aoun E. Muhammad, as well as Khan for comment. Just Bins responded to CTV News with no comment on the matter.

URSU and Muhammad have also filed a civil harassment claim against Just Bins and Khan, alleging they engaged in “repeated harassing behavior [sic]; knowledge that such behavior was unwelcome; and that such behavior has caused harm to the Plaintiffs.”

According to the Statement of Claim, “the plaintiffs have suffered loss of income and loss of opportunity as a direct and consequential result of the actions and inactions of the defendants, the particulars of which to be proven at the trial of this action.” Adding, “monetary damages alone would not adequately address the losses and damages incurred.

URSU and Muhammad are seeking a permanent injunction restraining Just Bins and Khan from any and all further publication of the alleged defamatory or similar statements, removal of the alleged defamatory statements from the Internet, along with damages in the amount of $250,000 and other special damages and remedies.

The legal action comes in the midst of a series of clashes between the union and the University of Regina (U of R) over the past several months.

In addition to URSU being under investigation due to possible misappropriation of funds, the U of R announced its decision to terminate its main lease agreement with URSU in early August, stating the university lost its confidence in URSU’s ability to serve and represent students.

URSU has called a special general meeting virtually - for a second time – to determine if the union will be dissolved. The meeting is set for Oct. 21.