harper, to right wing america

Canadian Conservative Party Links to Right Wing American Groups

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Over 20 candidates and members of Parliament for the Conservative Party of Canada, including leader Stephen Harper, Justice Critic Vic Toews, Foreign Affairs Critic Stockwell Day and Firearms Critic Garry Breitkreuz, have links to organizations established under the umbrella of the Council for National Policy (CNP), an American group that the New York Times calls a “club of a few hundred of the most powerful conservatives in the country,”and which Rolling Stone reports has “funnelled billions of dollars to right-wing Christian activists.”

Stephen Harper addressed CNP members in 1997 at its meeting in Montreal where the group reportedly conceived of the Republican effort to impeach President Clinton. Addressing the elite group is no small feat, given that guests may only attend meetings with the unanimous consent of the Executive Committee. Since Mr. Harper’s address, links between Conservative Party members and groups sponsored by the CNP like Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, the Christian Coalition of America and the National Rifle Association have grown. In turn, these groups have taken an increasingly forthright role in influencing Canadian politics through radio broadcasts, Canadian affiliates, and training for grassroots advocacy efforts in support of Conservative Party candidates.

This should perhaps come as no surprise given that the Vancouver Sun estimates that “roughly half the current 98 members” of the Conservative caucus “are religious social conservatives,” which is “well over double the national average.” It suggests, however, that powerful forces may be affecting the distribution of political power in this country about which Canadians may not be aware. The chart found below demonstrates the links among the CNP, its associated organizations, their activities in Canada, and various Conservative Party candidates for the 2006 election.