In 1993, Jean Chrétien said that his government would not revisit the abortion issue. In so doing, he committed the Liberals to the status quo of lawlessness where pre-born children are concerned. The party has recently confirmed that a Liberal government will not entertain measures to re- criminalize abortion. In effect, therefore, the party supports abortion on demand, with no restrictions of any kind.

At the same time, the party has gone to great lengths to purge its own pro-life wing. In 1992, the party gave Mr Chrétien absolute power over the candidate nomination process, in order to keep "single-issue" (that is, pro-life) Liberals from running for office. Since then, Mr Chrétien has used his new power to override the democratic process and appoint pro-abortion feminists on many occasions. As a result, it has become much more difficult for pro-life Canadians to have a voice in the Liberal Party.

In September, 1995, under the direction of Liberal Sheila Finestone (Mount Royal), the Canadian delegation to the UN Conference on Women in Beijing led the way in advocating "sexual orientation" (homosexuality) and "reproductive rights" (abortion). The Canadian delegation, perhaps the most radical and aggressive of all those present at the conference, opposed references to anything which might limit such "rights"—including the laws, beliefs, and even the very sovereignty of individual nations.

In May, 1996, on the initiative of Justice Minister Allan Rock (Etobicoke Centre), the Liberals passed Bill C-33, which enshrined "sexual orientation" in the Canadian Human Rights Code. The bill was passed, in spite of the strong objections of individuals, churches, and other groups across the country, after only one day of debate in Parliament.

In June, 1996, at the request of the Newfoundland government, the Liberals voted to abolish constitutionally-guaranteed religious education rights in Newfoundland, in spite of the strong objections of the Catholic and Pentecostal churches. This was seen as a great blow to the pro-life movement, since religious schools are much more willing to co-operate with pro-life educational efforts than their secular counterparts. The Liberals also moved quickly to abolish similar rights in Québec, on the request of the province’s PQ government. (This was not complete at the time of the election call; but the Liberals have vowed to carry it through, if they form the next government.)

It should be noted that a significant minority of Liberal MPs voted against their own government on the "sexual orientation" bill, and on the Newfoundland schools amendment. Many of these MPs also have a strong pro-life record.

At its policy convention in the fall of 1996, the Liberal Party voted in favour of legalizing doctor-assisted suicide. Justice Minister Allan Rock indicated in 1994 that he is open to such a change. Pro-life observers fully expect the Liberals to introduce "right-to-die" legislation of some kind, if given another mandate to govern.

While many Reform MPs are pro-life, the party as a whole has refused to take a stand on abortion and euthanasia. On such issues, the party requires individual MPs to vote according to "consensus" (simple majority opinion) in their ridings—even if to do so would be to go against their consciences, and to act against the fundamental right in a free society, the right to life. The party also advocates deciding such matters by way of national referenda.

This wrong-headed policy has already had disastrous results. Party leader Preston Manning, for example, who is pro-life in principle, has already committed himself to voting for euthanasia, because of indications that the majority of his constituents support it. Worse still, in an interview in The Ottawa Citizen (April 25, 1997), Mr Manning said that he would vote for abortion, if 51% of his constituents were in favour of killing unborn babies.

It should be noted that some pro-life Reformers do not support the party’s "consensus" policy, and are committed to voting according to their consciences on all moral issues.

The Reform Party has adopted a promising new family policy. It has pledged to help end discrimination against families with "stay-at-home moms," by extending the $3,000 - $5,000 child-care deduction to all parents, and by increasing the tax credit for spouses from $5,380 to $7,900. It has also promised to maintain the current, traditional definition of marriage in federal laws and regulations, and to define "family" as "individuals related by blood, marriage or adoption."

In its attempts to rebuild after their defeat in the last election, the Progressive Conservative Party has steered clear of "social conservatism," and focused instead on economic matters. In fact, leader Jean Charest seems to have led the party further toward political correctness on social and moral issues.

This seems not to have affected the party’s other MP, however. Elsie Wayne (St John, NB) remains firmly pro-life and pro-family.

The Christian Heritage Party is the only federal party committed to ensuring legal protection for all innocent human beings, from conception to natural death. It is absolutely and unalterably opposed to abortion, experimentation on human embryos, euthanasia, and doctor-assisted suicide.

Readers should note that the CHP supports capital punishment in cases of first-degree, premeditated murder.

The CHP has developed a comprehensive platform with detailed policies on many different issues. Of particular interest is its policy on "The Sanctity of Marriage and the Family." The CHP is committed to ensuring that the traditional definitions of marriage and family are maintained; that the government will not condone or promote homosexual activity; and that public policy will promote full-time motherhood and the flourishing of the traditional family.

In addition to maintaining a firm opposition to abortion and euthanasia, and firm support for the family, the CHP is the only federal party whose guiding principles are directly inspired by traditional beliefs and morals.