Former MLA from British Columbia claims their car was set on fire after publicly discussing the string of church arsons.

Former British Columbia MLA Gwen O’Mahony reveals that her vehicle was intentionally set on fire following a media interview in which she labeled Canadian church burnings as an “anti-Christian hate crime.”

The incident occurred after O’Mahony denounced the increasing number of church burnings since 2021, when a B.C. First Nation reported the possibility of discovering hundreds of children’s graves at a former residential school site.

The ex-NDP MLA, who served from 2012 to 2013, shared that the arson took place on Feb. 11 around 10 p.m., shortly after her interview was publicized online. She stated in an interview with The Epoch Times that she was at home when the RCMP contacted her about extinguishing a fire in her car.

“I was taken aback because my apartment is at the building’s front, and I didn’t even hear the sirens,” said O’Mahony, who contested as a B.C. Conservatives candidate in the 2024 election but lost to the NDP candidate.

O’Mahony mentioned that the fire was deliberately started under her vehicle, spreading to the back seat, and necessitating the officers to break a window to access the car and put out the fire.

A neighbor observed the fire and alerted the police, O’Mahony added.

“It seemed quite suspicious, almost coincidental, that right after discussing church arson across Canada in my last interview, my car caught fire,” she remarked in the phone conversation. “I classified it as an anti-Christian hate crime … and then my car was suddenly on fire.”

She emphasized how perilous the situation could have been.

“If the fire had reached my gas tank, my car would have exploded on a residential street, near a sidewalk where people walk their dogs or go shopping,” she added.

The RCMP was reached out to by The Epoch Times but did not respond by the time of publication.

Conservative Party Leader John Rustad expressed deep anger over the incident.

Canada has witnessed a surge in church burnings triggered by Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation’s disclosure in 2021 about possible unmarked graves of children at a former residential school site, operated jointly by churches of different Christian sects and the government.

Various groups in multiple areas across the nation have alleged additional unmarked graves at former residential school locations, although no children’s remains have been discovered.

It’s a matter even the current U.S. Vice President JD Vance has raised concerns about.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented in July 2021 on the church burnings, acknowledging them as vandalism and arson that were “unacceptable and wrong.”

Yet, Trudeau also recognized the anger directed towards institutions like the Catholic Church.

“It is valid and fully understandable,” he stated.

Trudeau went on to point out that burning churches deprived people of a place to mourn, grieve, and heal.

Noé Chartier and The Canadian Press contributed to this article.