Kamloops Went Ahead: Dallas Brodie Proves the Town-Hall Model Still Works
June 9, 2026 · iVoteOneBC research desk
The clean update from Kamloops is simple: after the venue dispute, Dallas Brodie still showed up, supporters still gathered, opponents still protested, police kept the peace, and the public conversation happened anyway.
What changed
CFJC Today reported on June 8 that the June 7 OneBC town hall went ahead from a vacant lot at 100 Victoria Street West after the City of Kamloops cancelled the Sandman Centre permit tied to the unpaid security-cost dispute. The report says anti-Brodie protesters were across the street near the BCLC building, while Kamloops RCMP and Community Safety Officers were present for public safety.
Most importantly for the fair-access file, Kamloops RCMP told CFJC Today that opponents of OneBC protested lawfully and peacefully, and that the event proceeded without issue. That does not erase the venue dispute; it sharpens the public lesson. A controversial speaker, organized supporters, counter-protesters, police, and city staff can coexist without shutting the conversation down.
Why it matters for OneBC supporters
This is exactly why the Backbone of BC Tour is politically useful. Dallas Brodie is not waiting for perfect rooms, friendly audiences, or establishment permission. She is taking affordability, local decision-making, UNDRIP, private and Crown property, and government accountability directly into B.C. communities.
ArmchairMayor.ca’s Mel Rothenburger, writing after attending, described a lively but non-threatening event and noted Brodie took questions for more than an hour. That is the standard worth defending: not agreement, not silence, but a real marketplace of ideas where voters can listen, object, ask questions, and judge for themselves.
The fair-access takeaway
- Do not overclaim motive: the City of Kamloops says it followed normal processes around security costs; OneBC strongly disputes the city’s handling.
- Do insist on transparency: when public facilities add major conditions or costs to political meetings, the rules should be clear, timely, and evenly applied.
- Credit the democratic result: the Kamloops event happened, the counter-protest happened, and the reported outcome was peaceful.
- Next watch item: OneBC’s official pages still list Prince George for June 10 and Kelowna for June 14, both 6 P.M.–8 P.M.; Prince George remains venue TBA on the official page as of the June 9 check.
No membership, attendance, or fundraising numbers are claimed here. The verified milestone is stronger: Dallas Brodie’s town-hall model survived a venue fight and produced a public conversation rather than a cancellation.