Know Your Fringe Parties XIV -- The Christian Heritage Party

The Christian Heritage Party is the last of the "fringe parties" in this series. The Party boasts being the only true fiscally AND socially conservative political party in the Canadian 'politi-sphere'. Its internest site also boasts that it is "Canada's only pro-Life, pro-family federal political party," and declares the CHP to be "the right conservatives."

Under the leadership of Ron Gray, the Party strives to promote governance that is consistent with Biblical teachings and Biblical ethics. Affirming the centrality of God (as enshrined, the Party observes, in the Preamble of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms), the CHP is committed to civil governance that is guided by, and "under the authority of God." "Decision-making processes by civil government," notes the internest site, "must not in any way contravene these Biblical ethics."

So in practice, what does this entail? Well, here's a sampling:

1. On the Economy -- The CHP advocates an "infrastructure stimulus package" for cities, a "Fair Tax" (national retail sales tax) in lieu of the income tax, retirement of the national debt, and an overhaul of the CPP for retirement.
2. On the Family -- The CHP advances a host of socially conservative policies that are pro-life 'from tomb to womb'. Their platform includes promoting adoption over abortion, striking a Royal Commission on Marriage and the Family (they are steadfastly opposed to same-sex marriage), elimination of euthanasia, and a $1000/month childcare allowance to encourage 'stay-at-home' parenting.
3. On Healthcare -- The CHP blends greater funding for hospitals, and investments in doctors and medical technologies, with "promoting healthy lifestyle choices" by addressing issues of smoking, obesity, and substance abuse. They also press for more of a commitment to medical research and a wider distribution of vaccinations.
4. On the Environment -- The CHP calls for "renewable energy initiatives" and "proactive stewardship practices" to battle pollution.
5. On the Rights of Citizenship -- The CHP promises to "defend against Human Rights Commission attacks on free speech." The also advocate for the rights of people to freely act according to their conscience, and they call for the inclusion of property rights in the Charter.

On the question of Human Rights Commissions, it is probably significant to note (at least in passing) that CHP leader, Ron Gray, is himself the respondent to a Human Rights Commission complaint. In 2007, Edmonton-based gay-rights activist Rob Wells filed a complaint against Gray with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The complaint concerned an article originally published on WorldNetDaily news in 2002 that suggested a greater preponderance of pedophilia among homosexuals. While Gray was not the author of the article, the CHP did post it on their web site, and Gray himself has written papers that were 'not sympathetic' to the gay-rights position. You may read about this complaint in greater detail in LifeSiteNews.

In the 2008 campaign, the Christian Heritage Party is running 58 candidates across eight provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island). The Party has yet to field candidates in New Brunswick or in the three northern territories, but indicates that it hopes to include these regions in the next election. While the CHP has been active in federal politics since 1988, the Party has yet to break through the barrier of 1% of the popular vote nationally. In fact, in the 1988 campaign, the CHP made its best showing. The Party's 68 candidates that year attracted 0.78% of the national vote, and 3.56% of the vote in the ridings in which they ran. Not too shabby for an upstart "fringe" party.

So now we can put the Christian Heritage Party up on the big board. We'll be looking for you on the 14th.