OneBC Faces Internal Conflict Amid Allegations of Extremism

A significant rift has emerged within the far-right party OneBC, following accusations of extremist views linked to a young staff member, Othman Mekhloufi. This internal strife has raised questions about the party’s leadership and direction, particularly as it navigates its controversial stance on various socio-political issues in British Columbia.

The turmoil within OneBC intensified when Dallas Brodie, the party’s leader and MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena, called for Mekhloufi’s dismissal. Brodie cited “values Mekhloufi has expressed publicly, online and offline,” as fundamentally incompatible with her vision for the party. This statement came in a post on X on December 14, 2023, where she publicly demanded his removal, highlighting the growing tension surrounding Mekhloufi’s social media presence.

OneBC was formed in June 2023, after Brodie and former Conservative MLA Tara Armstrong split from the Conservative Party of BC. This division stemmed from Brodie’s controversial comments regarding residential school survivors, which led to her expulsion from the Conservative caucus. Since its inception, OneBC has aggressively pursued a far-right agenda that includes denying the historical abuses of residential schools and opposing Indigenous rights in the province.

The party has also made headlines for its calls to halt immigration to Canada and for attempts to introduce legislation that would dismantle diversity and inclusion initiatives. A recent film produced by OneBC, titled Making a Killing, accused First Nations governments of misleading the public regarding the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential schools. This film was condemned as “racist misinformation” by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, emphasizing the severity of the party’s rhetoric.

The accusations against Mekhloufi include a range of antisemitic and white nationalist content shared on his social media accounts. His Twitter handle, @OthmanOnX, was active until January 2025, when it was made private following increasing scrutiny. Activist Will Stancil investigated some of Mekhloufi’s claims, noting that the account had boasted about connections to the Trump administration while being based in Vancouver.

Amidst the escalating tensions, the OneBC party has fractured into factions. On one side, Brodie and staff members Masha Kleiner and Wyatt Claypool support Mekhloufi’s dismissal. On the opposing side, Armstrong and staff members Tim Thielmann and Paul Ratchford argue for mentoring Mekhloufi rather than termination. Thielmann expressed his disagreement with Brodie’s stance, stating, “Did Paul and I advise against Dallas firing Othman, a 22-year-old brown kid who was being made out to be a ‘white supremacist’? Yes.”

As the internal conflict escalated, Brodie asserted that her leadership was being undermined. Armstrong countered, stating that the real issue was not differing opinions about a junior staffer, but the lack of effective communication and leadership within the party. She expressed her loss of faith in Brodie’s ability to lead, highlighting the need for empathy and openness in addressing internal challenges.

The situation further deteriorated when allegations of Mekhloufi’s extremist statements surfaced. Claypool claimed Mekhloufi had openly discussed “blood and soil politics” and eugenics within the party office. Thielmann defended Mekhloufi, asserting that he supported civic nationalism rather than the more extreme ideologies attributed to him.

By December 15, 2023, it remained unclear who held control over the party, with both factions claiming legitimacy. The OneBC Caucus account on X and its Facebook page were still managed by Brodie and Claypool, while the party’s official X account was under the control of Armstrong’s group.

The internal conflict in OneBC underscores not only the deep divisions within the party but also the broader implications for politics in British Columbia. As the party grapples with its identity and direction, the attention on Mekhloufi’s controversial views highlights ongoing tensions surrounding far-right movements in Canada.