UBC Okanagan student union bans Conservative club

The student union at the University of British Columbia Okanagan has prohibited a group of students from forming a campus Conservative club.

Source: X

The student union at the University of British Columbia Okanagan has prohibited a group of students from forming a campus Conservative club claiming the federal political party’s views would make black and LGBTQ students “feel unwelcome.”

In an email explaining the decision, UBCO student union vice-president internal Rajat Arora informed the applicants that while “there were differing opinions among directors” on approving a Conservative club, their request was ultimately denied because they didn’t align with the union’s “inclusivity” standards.

“Some were in favour of ratifying the club considering Kelowna’s conservative presence and the opportunity for political debates featuring various perspectives,” Arora explained.

“However, concerns were raised regarding the political stance of the party your club would represent, rather than the club itself.”

Notably, UBC Okanagan has allowed a Liberal campus club to operate freely for years.

“Specifically, some directors were concerned that certain views associated with the party–particularly those regarding the Black and LGBTQ+ communities–could make students from these groups feel excluded or unwelcome,” Arora said.

The email did not specify which Conservative party policies made people “feel excluded or unwelcome,” offering only a vague statement that the “party, but not the group” would run afoul of “inclusivity” and might discourage “open political dialogue.”

The student union’s email to the Conservative club applicant was unequivocal, stating there was no means to appeal the decision.

“Unfortunately, the board’s decision stands, and there is no appeal process for club ratification at this time. However, I’d be happy to meet and discuss ways to support political engagement on campus in a way that aligns with the Student Union’s commitment to inclusivity and respectful discourse.”

The decision from the student union has prompted blowback from students, politicians and the wider community.

Conservative Party of British Columbia leader John Rustad said of the incident: “This is the inevitable result of out of control radical leftist activism in BC’s academia.”

“No woke, activist student council should be allowed to determine which political parties students can join or associate with,” Rustad continued.

Local Conservative Party MP Tracy Gray also commented, calling the story “disturbing.”

The UBC Conservatives, a longstanding presence on the main Vancouver campus, also expressed deep disappointment over the decision to bar their group from the sister campus, calling it a “blatant disregard for the fundamental academic freedoms that UBC has long upheld.”

Even some Liberal campus club members took offence to the decision and voiced their discontent online.

“As a young Liberal campus club president myself,” wrote Queens University student Jacob Johnston on X, “this is shameful. 34.4% of Canadians voted Conservative in the last election, including 45% in UBC Okanagan’s riding– Conservative students should be allowed to organize on campuses, just the same as Liberal and NDP students.”

Lesley Cormack, principal and deputy vice-chancellor of UBC’s Okanagan Campus, offered an official statement on behalf of UBCO saying that while she was made aware of the situation” and the university stands for the right to have politically affiliated clubs, the student union was an independent body.

“Through these mechanisms, they can make independent decisions with respect to student club ratification and allocation of student union resources,” wrote Cormack.

“That said, UBC Okanagan stands firmly behind its responsibility to uphold its principles of free, lawful, and respectful expression of all views and opinions, even those with which some may disagree.”