Origins of the Family Coalition Party: the Family Coalition Party, or FCP, is not well known and even less known are its origins. Hence, the following brief history.

The idea of a new political party was first discussed at the November 1985 Annual General Meeting of what, at that time, was Campaign Life Canada (one year later, CLC would heal an existing split in pro-life ranks and become Campaign Life Coalition, which is its present name). Meeting at a retreat north of Toronto, the participants were all active workers with CLC, most of them volunteers, totaling some 40 people.

The minutes stated that:

"To stimulate general discussion on what was to be a major theme of the AGM, Father de Valk presented a paper, History and Christianity, dealing with the present-day crisis in Western civilization. The general thrust of the paper was that today, a secular humanism and economic materialism is attempting to replace Christian ideals, Christian mores, and Christian institutions in both East and West. The conclusion was that as a result, the family and, indeed, the whole moral fibre of society are under attack. Abortion is but one symptom of the decay. Political parties are not addressing the fact that the Judeo-Christian civilization is under assault; therefore, we must ask whether the time is ripe for a new party which will deal with these issues. For discussion purposes, a proposal was presented for a new 'Reform Party of Canada.'"

The minutes went on to say that although this session was intended to be just an introduction, a lively exchange of opinions pro and contra the formation of a new party ensued.

Arguments against a new party included:

a) It could divide pro-life forces.

b) It may not have any influence for years to come. Can we afford to wait?

c)Perhaps the pro-life forces would be seen as weak, if the party did poorly.

d) Education is needed first.

e) The need for education is particularly important in French-speaking Quebec. There, until now, little or nothing has been done; and efforts of English-speaking pro-lifers are not welcome; the attitude is defeatist--or has been so in the past, except for the area near Ottawa.

f) The party could not be a one-issue party; however, introducing other issues could weaken the pro-life thrust, or divide the ranks.

g) There are problems of time, effort and money in organizing a new party.

h) Do we have

* the marketing expertise?

* sufficiently qualified and committed workers?

* candidates?

i) We should continue to work from inside the established political parties, rather than form a new party.

Arguments in favour of a new party included:

a) There is already a movement to new parties; such as an "anti-abortion" party in Windsor, Christian Socialists in Quebec, the Canadian Christian Party in B.C. Could we unify these?

b) Present parties are doing little or nothing to end abortions. (A few MPs speak out but party caucuses do nothing.)

c) Many people are disenfranchised when there is no pro-life candidate in their riding.

d) For voters, it is easier to support a new party than to cross over to an old party.

e) Pro-family legislation is needed to restore the integrity of family life. The multitude of issues involved make it clear that the "disregard" criticism about a one-issue party is not valid.

f) Pro-lifers have made great efforts for years, with few results politically, if any. It is time to try another approach by:

* ending the naivete of many Canadians about promises from candidates belonging to the existing parties;

* making Canadians aware that abortion and all related family issues are truly political issues.

The minutes continued by noting that Jim Hughes of CLC explained Campaign Life had grown in three years from 1,300 on the mailing list to 34,000 across Canada. He added:

a) Educational groups are not sufficiently effective, and the only way to go is to educate pro-life groups politically.

b) The role of the pro-life monthly newspaper The Interim is essential.

c) There is a lack of political maturity even among those who are knowledgeable on the pro-life issues. We need experience and training in the political process.

d) We need people in selected ridings to act as leaders; we must grow in numbers; and educate people. There is a need for experienced lobbyists, etc., and then "we can go."

CONCLUSION

At the end of the three-day meeting, a straw vote indicated that a small majority favoured a new political party; others also wanted Campaign Life to continue. That was the final outcome. "Yes" to a new provincial party and "yes" to Campaign Life to continue to work with existing parties, both federally and provincially.

The following six months were devoted to getting the 10,000 signatures needed to register the party in Ontario. After a national consultation by The Interim, the new entity was eventually named the "Family Coalition Party." Titles with "Christian" in them were rejected as being exclusive.

A number of volunteers attended a program of education and eventually the FCP worked out a complete party program in all areas of political concern. This, in essence, gave the party a foundation in Christian-Catholic social teaching.

The FCP never did establish a national presence because immediately after the new party was formed provincially, a group of Dutch Reformed Protestants in British Columbia announced they had registered federally as "The Christian Heritage Party."

The essential idea of the FCP was and is simple. The main purpose is to introduce and defend the spiritual, mental and social health of the family, and therefore of the country, against the corrosive acid of the contraceptive mentality, which is the starting point for the dissolution of the family so desired by modern hedonists.

Everything flows from that: abortion, divorce, common-law marriage, pornography, homosexual activism, fornication, extra-marital activity, prostitution. These are accompanied by many subsidiary evils such as increased violence, trafficking in women, dysfunctional families, the collapse of tranquility, the use of drugs, and the abolition of community standards (by the Supreme Court).

Lately, Canada has added assaults on freedom of speech and religion by Human Rights Commissions and provincial governments; plus the mandatory approval of "sexual orientation," i.e., homosexual activism, in school programs, after the Supreme Court altered the Charter of Rights to give "equality" to the homosexual lifestyle. If not opposed, these together will lead to a coming demographic and moral collapse.

Catholic Insight's Editor, Father de Valk, has been active in the pro-life movement since 1970.