RCMP Escort OneBC Group Off UBC Campus Following Escalation

In a high-tension encounter on Thursday, January 22, 2026, members of the OneBC political party were forcibly removed from the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus by RCMP. The police intervention followed a volatile standoff between party members and a large crowd of counter-protesters.

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The Conflict at the IRSHDC

The incident began when OneBC leader Dallas Brodie, along with controversial figures Jim McMurtry and Frances Widdowson, gathered outside the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC). The group’s presence drew immediate and intense backlash due to their history of challenging findings regarding unmarked graves at former residential school sites.

Chronology of the Removal

As tensions rose between the small group of OneBC supporters and hundreds of counter-protesters, the situation reached a breaking point:

• Safety Directive: UBC Campus Security and the RCMP initially requested the group leave voluntarily, citing an immediate risk to public safety.
• The “Facilitation”: When the group refused to vacate the area, officers took physical action. Notably, footage captured RCMP officers carrying Frances Widdowson away from the scene after she refused to walk.
• The Evacuation: Approximately 50 OneBC supporters were ushered into the UBC Aquatic Centre to separate them from the crowd. To ensure a safe exit from the university grounds, the RCMP eventually transported the group off-campus using a chartered TransLink bus.

Perspectives on the Incident

• The University: UBC officials maintained that while they value free speech, the event was unsanctioned and presented a “significant safety risk” that required police intervention to prevent violence.
• OneBC: Dallas Brodie characterized the counter-protesters as an “angry mob” and claimed her group was the victim of an assault on free speech, despite the police claiming the removal was for the party’s own protection.
• Law Enforcement: The RCMP confirmed one arrest was made during the chaos, though the individual was released later that day without charges.

Context of the Unrest

This is the second time in two months that OneBC has faced police-escorted removals from a B.C. university. A similar event occurred at the University of Victoria in December 2025, signaling a growing trend of high-conflict interactions between the new political party and campus communities.