BC NEWS

OneBC’s Early Implosion Shows the Cost of Power Without Structure

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6 months ago

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The Current, Chad Dashly

New political parties rarely fail because of ideology alone. More often, they collapse under the weight of ego, unclear authority, and internal power struggles or inability to raise donations. The brief and chaotic rise of OneBC is a textbook example of how not to launch a political movement and how quickly a lack of discipline can undo even the most ambitious project.

OneBC emerged amid deep fractures on the political right in British Columbia. With voters frustrated by establishment parties and conservative forces splintering, the space for a new alternative appeared ripe. At the centre of that effort was Dallas Brodie, who stepped into the role of leader and became the public face of a party still finding its footing.

But almost from the outset, OneBC suffered from a problem that has plagued countless insurgent movements: power existed without structure.

Behind the scenes Othman Mekhloufi, a political activist and organizer within conservative grassroots circles, became a growing presence. Mekhloufi was not an elected official, not a candidate, and not a formally accountable party executive. Yet he was widely perceived, internally and externally, as exercising influence over communications, strategy, and internal direction.

That influence quickly became a flashpoint.

According to multiple accounts from within OneBC’s orbit, Mekhloufi’s role was never clearly defined. What began as activist energy and organizational support blurred into something far more consequential. Decisions appeared to be shaped by informal authority rather than transparent process. Messaging grew erratic. Internal disputes spilled into public view. For a party desperately trying to establish legitimacy, this was a serious liability.

Brodie’s decision to remove Mekhloufi from any role associated with OneBC was less about a single incident and more about an attempt to reassert leadership control. The concern was not merely tone or temperament, but the existence of what some insiders described as a parallel centre of power, influence without responsibility.

From a leadership perspective, the move made sense. New parties survive only if they project discipline, coherence, and credibility. Allowing unelected activists to appear as de facto decision-makers is an invitation to chaos. Brodie’s action was intended to draw a firm line: authority flows from leadership, not from loudness or proximity.

But the damage had already been done.

The firing did not stabilize OneBC. Instead, it exposed just how fragile the party’s internal foundation really was. Trust had eroded. Factions had hardened. What should have been a private organizational correction became a public rupture. The party’s internal conflicts intensified rather than subsided.

Not long after, Brodie herself was removed as leader by OneBC’s board — a stunning reversal that underscored the central irony of the situation. In attempting to impose order, she revealed how little structural authority actually existed to begin with.

This is where OneBC’s story shifts from internal squabble to political cautionary tale.

Parties do not fail simply because of controversial personalities. They fail when roles are undefined, governance is weak, and leadership authority is ambiguous. In OneBC’s case, the party never clearly established who had decision-making power, how strategy was set, or how internal disagreements would be resolved. That vacuum was inevitably filled by personality, influence, and conflict.

Figures like Othman Mekhloufi become symbols in such environments, not because they are uniquely powerful, but because weak institutions allow informal power to flourish. When accountability mechanisms are absent, perception becomes reality, and internal resentment grows.

This is why commentators like Jas Johal have seized on Mekhloufi’s name. Not because he is a major political figure, but because his involvement represents something larger: a party overtaken by internal dysfunction before it could even define its purpose.

The OneBC saga should serve as a warning to any movement attempting to capitalize on voter frustration. Passion and disruption are not substitutes for governance. Activism does not replace structure. And leadership without clear authority is leadership in name only.

British Columbia’s political landscape may still be hungry for alternatives, but OneBC’s implosion shows that credibility is built long before the first press release. Without disciplined organization, even the most opportune political moment can be squandered.

In the end, OneBC didn’t fall because of its ideas. It fell because it never decided clearly and collectively, who was actually in charge and what they stop for.

Editor Notes: Who Dallas Brodie and Jas Johal:

  • Dallas Brodie: Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in British Columbia, representing Vancouver-Quilchena.  
  • Brodie was originally elected as a BC Conservative MLA in the 2024 provincial election.  
  • In 2025, she and another MLA Tara Armstrong left the Conservatives to form a new political party called OneBC (which is a far right-wing/populist party).  
  • She had been serving as interim leader of OneBC, but on or around Dec. 13-14, 2025, she was removed as leader by the party’s board amid internal conflict.  

Why Jas Johal might be mentioning her: Johal tweets a lot about British Columbia provincial politics, especially controversies involving small or new parties like OneBC and its leaders, including Brodie’s leadership struggles and the party’s policies. 

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BC NEWS

Unfreezing the Market: Carney and Eby Unveil $3.2B Housing and Transit Package

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby announce a $3.2B plan to cut development fees and convert vacant condos into affordable housing in BC.

Published

4 hours ago

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June 19, 2026

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A Major Subsidy to Lower Development Barriers

In a significant move to address British Columbia’s housing affordability crisis, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby announced a $3.2 billion joint funding initiative in Vancouver on Thursday. The center-piece of the announcement is a $1.6 billion federal commitment over the next decade—matched by the provincial government—aimed at slashing development cost charges (DCCs) by up to 50 per cent in priority communities. These subsidies, which could reach as much as $40,000 per unit, are designed to jumpstart multi-unit housing projects that have stalled due to rising costs.

The funding will be funneled through the federal government’s new Build Communities Strong Fund, redirecting general taxation revenue toward essential housing-enabling infrastructure. By covering the costs of water systems, wastewater management, and local roads, the government hopes to remove the financial burden currently placed on developers, which Carney noted has reached a level that is “pricing out people.”

Addressing the ‘Condo Overhang’

Beyond lowering development fees, Prime Minister Carney hinted at a more aggressive intervention to clear the glut of unsold real estate. With Statistics Canada reporting a surge in vacant, newly built units, the federal government plans to use specialized financing mechanisms to purchase these unoccupied condos and convert them into affordable housing. Under the Build Canada Homes and BC Housing partnership, officials aim to convert more than 2,200 vacant units into affordable dwellings, with specific models for this program expected to be released this fall.

Infrastructure and Transit Expansion

The announcement also included a massive boost for regional transportation, acknowledging that housing density must be supported by reliable transit. A $2.5 billion federal investment over 10 years was pledged for new transit projects, including the ongoing Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension. This funding is on top of the previously announced $852 million for TransLink and BC Transit, marking a comprehensive effort to link housing growth with urban mobility.

Political and Economic Skepticism

Despite the influx of capital, the plan has met with mixed reactions from local leaders. Metro Vancouver chair and Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley expressed caution, noting that “the devil will be in the details” and maintaining his stance that “growth should pay for growth.” Concerns remain regarding whether developers will pass these significant savings on to home buyers or if the subsidy will simply bolster corporate bottom lines. As BC’s real estate market remains one of the most expensive in North America, the success of this multibillion-dollar gamble depends on whether it can truly align housing prices with local incomes.

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BC NEWS

Tragedy at Skeleton Bridge: Brazilian Authorities Investigate Fatal Rope Jump Error

A 21-year-old woman died in Brazil after rope jumping instructors allegedly failed to attach her safety cord. Investigation and murder charges are pending.

Published

3 days ago

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June 15, 2026

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A Fatal Oversight in Limeira

The pursuit of adrenaline turned into a horrific tragedy this past Saturday at the Ponte do Esqueleto, or ‘Skeleton Bridge,’ in Limeira, São Paulo. Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, a 21-year-old woman, fell 40 meters to her death after instructors allegedly failed to attach her safety cord before launching her into the abyss. Video footage from the scene captures the harrowing moment two staff members hoisted de Freitas airplane-style above their shoulders and threw her off the abandoned federal bridge, despite frantic screams from onlookers who realized the safety equipment was not connected.

Police Investigation and Arrests

Brazilian authorities acted swiftly following the incident, which required the deployment of a police helicopter for a rescue attempt that ultimately proved unsuccessful; de Freitas was pronounced dead at the scene. Three men employed by the adventure company responsible for the jump have been arrested. Police in Limeira have launched a formal investigation into the circumstances of the fall, with reports suggesting that the instructors could face murder charges due to the gross negligence involved in the oversight.

A Brewing Legal Battle Over Jurisdictional Responsibility

The tragedy has ignited a fierce political conflict between local and federal authorities. The City Hall of Limeira announced its intention to sue the federal government, claiming that the Skeleton Bridge falls under federal jurisdiction and has lacked necessary maintenance and access control for years. Mayor Murilo Félix stated that the municipal administration had been demanding action since early 2025, calling the federal government’s alleged omission ‘unsustainable and unacceptable.’

The Risks of Extreme Rope Jumping

Rope jumping, while often confused with bungee jumping, utilizes low-stretch climbing ropes designed to create a horizontal pendulum swing rather than a vertical bounce. The inherent risks of the sport require stringent safety protocols, which officials say were catastrophically ignored in this instance. This incident adds to a growing list of adventure sport accidents globally, highlighting a critical need for stricter regulation and enforcement of safety standards in the high-risk tourism industry.

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BC NEWS

B.C. Teacher Facing 15-Year Ban Over Inappropriate Relationship with Vulnerable Former Student

B.C. teacher Jonas Alexander Douglas Huston receives a 15-year ban following an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable former student.

Published

1 week ago

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June 12, 2026

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Professional Misconduct Leads to Severe Disciplinary Action

A British Columbia private school teacher has been barred from the teaching profession for 15 years following an investigation into a sexual relationship with a former student. The B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation released a consent resolution agreement on Tuesday, detailing the professional misconduct involving Jonas Alexander Douglas Huston, who previously served as a secondary school teacher at an independent institution.

Exploitation of Power and Trust

The investigation revealed that Huston initiated an intimate and sexual relationship with the student within five months of their graduation. According to the commissioner, Huston was fully aware that the student was in a vulnerable state at the time. The relationship was the result of a connection fostered while Huston was in a position of authority at the school, where he maintained close contact with the individual until the transition from student to former student occurred.

The school authority first notified the commissioner of the situation in January 2025. Although Huston was not working as a teacher at the time the report was filed, the commissioner determined that his actions constituted a fundamental breach of the trust inherent in the educator-student dynamic. The ruling emphasized that Huston used his position of power to exploit the student, resulting in documented harm.

Fifteen-Year Prohibition from Classroom Service

In the signed agreement, Huston admitted to professional misconduct and accepted a 15-year ban on applying for a teaching certificate. This restriction applies to both the independent school system and the kindergarten through Grade 12 public school systems across British Columbia. The length of the ban reflects the severity of the ethical violation and serves as a deterrent to others in the field.

Educational advocates often point to these cases as a reminder of the enduring nature of the power imbalance between teachers and students, even after graduation. The B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation maintains that the penalty is necessary to uphold the integrity of the profession and ensure the safety and well-being of all students within the province’s educational infrastructure.

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