By-election Musings in the Hat

On the “morning after” Voting Day in Medicine Hat, we survey the scene and reflect on the current state of our democratic institutions and the fragility of our social fabric.

On the good side of the equation, the man elected to serve as MP, Conservative Glen Motz, is a Christian and takes on the challenges of office with good intentions. On many issues, I believe he respects the values that we in the Christian Heritage Party champion. When Elaine and I stopped by his campaign office to congratulate him, it was obvious that he recognizes the value of prayer and the enormity of the task. Many of his close supporters wished us well and expressed appreciation of CHP values. Let’s remember to pray for him. He is in a party that has now dropped its official support for traditional marriage. His interim party leader marched in the Gay Pride parade. There is no evidence that his party even has maintained its fiscal principles. Glen and others who share our worldview will face increasing pressure to conform to the new “big tent” Conservative platform. May the Lord grant him courage.

In spite of the media’s dire prediction of a “close race”—which fed the “fear factor” and strategic voting syndrome—Glen won with almost 70% of the vote. The Liberal candidate, local businessman Stan Sakamoto, managed just under 26% of the vote even after the much-touted visit of our PM to the area. The threat of a national carbon tax was not what the voters in this area wanted to hear. They are already suffering under the burden of a provincial carbon tax and the local economy is hurting. Had the voters who value CHP policies but were afraid of what could happen if they didn’t hold tight to the status quo been able to overcome their fears and vote strictly their convictions, they would have sent a much stronger statement to Ottawa and to the Conservative Party leaders, who are now trying so hard to please the “progressives” while still holding onto the social conservatives. So far, the Conservative Party’s ploy is working and until or unless voters who truly believe in our Christian heritage rally the gumption to express themselves at the ballot-box, principles will continue to be replaced with pragmatism.

Other positives from the campaign:

• Although we garnered only 2.1% of the vote, the CHP finished third out of six candidates, receiving almost double the votes that went to the NDP.
• Some wonderful people have joined the CHP as members and are poised to form an EDA in the months ahead.
• Thanks to the prayers, sacrificial contributions and generous efforts of local members, members of the neighbouring Lethbridge EDA, and members across Canada, we were able to run a professional campaign with signs, brochures, radio ads, YouTube ads and gained considerable brand-name recognition in Medicine Hat. A foundation has been laid and we trust that local members are well-equipped to build on it. THANK YOU to all who prayed, gave, encouraged and participated in this campaign. Your efforts have not been in vain.

In the midst of this by-election, we learned that the PM is quickly losing interest in electoral reform, one of his platform planks in 2015. His reason: “We’re so popular that people don’t want to change the system”. Well, selfie-culture only goes so far. We anticipate that one of these days, people may vote for a party that seeks to end abortion, restore marriage, protect freedom and balance the budget. These are our Canadian values, forged in our Christian heritage. Until that day, CHP Canada will continue to proclaim the truth to all those who will listen.

Where CHP Canada has run in by-elections, we have seen growth and enthusiasm to build an electoral district association and reach out to the community with the CHP message. Don’t wait for a by-election, join CHP Canada today and ensure that your electoral district has the ability to support a candidate in the 2019 general election.