BC's top Mountie targets campaign violence

Deputy Commissioner Bruce Edwards, the Officer in Charge of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, held a press conference on Thursday to outline the force's plans to intensify security around political events in the province after a series of unruly episodes disrupted several campaign stops in BC and Ontario.

Edwards acknowledged "a recent uptick in disruptive and violent behaviour nationwide" and outlined several new initiatives the Mounties will be launching to keep candidates, staff, and the public safe. Key measures include deploying additional officers, expanding real‑time intelligence sharing with municipal forces, and increasing the amount of specialized technology deployed for each event.

While the Mounties declined to single out incidents or parties, Metro Vancouver has been the scene of some of the week’s most visible unrest.

"Speak, listen, and assemble without fear"

Superintendent Dana Sinclair, the Mountie in charge of specialized policing operations, emphasized the RCMP’s core commitment: “to make sure everyone can speak, listen, and assemble without fear.” She said the force is coordinating with municipal police services, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and event organizers to tighten security and provide emergency response services should circumstances deteriorate.

Political scientists note that campaign trail volatility is not new, but the increase in confrontations has prompted new scrutiny. "What's different this year is the sheer frequency of violent attacks," said Dr. Tristan Pickens, a professor at Simon Fraser University. "When you have multiple parties encountering disturbances at a frequency we've never seen before, it really starts to frighten people."

With advance polls opening in just a few days, federal candidates are expected to maintain aggressive schedules across the region. For now, the Mounties say their enhanced posture will remain in place “for the duration of the election cycle.”