Paul Tuns is Editor of The Interim, Canada’s Life and Family Newspaper. The following question and answer exchange between Paul Tuns, Editor of The Interim and Rod Taylor, Leader of the Christian Heritage Party, occurred on Jan. 29, 2025. It was published in the February 2025 Edition of The Interim. It is reprinted here by permission. https://theinterim.com/politics/christian-heritage-party-ready-for-federal-election

The Interim: The federal election is scheduled for October but the Liberal leadership switch and potential loss of confidence in a parliamentary vote could mean a spring election. Is the Christian Heritage Party ready for an early election?

Rod Taylor: Yes. In Canada, political parties need to be ready for an election anytime. The CHP’s Election Readiness Team has been actively preparing for this election for some time. We have been vetting potential candidates and holding training sessions and will continue to do that up until the election. We have also been preparing campaign literature and digital ad content for the election.

TI: How many candidates do you have nominated? In how many provinces? Is there still time to become a candidate if someone lives in a riding that does not have a CHP candidate and what is the process of becoming a candidate?

RT: As of mid-January, we have 25 candidates who have been either nominated by an EDA or approved for nomination by myself and the Election Readiness Committee. We have another 25 who are at various stages of the application process. Many of them just need to complete a formal interview and sign some papers. At this time, we have candidates preparing in seven provinces: B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.

Yes, there’s still time to become a CHP candidate. We hope to have many more. If some of your readers are considering candidacy, we urge them to contact us right away so we can process their applications and begin training them. The first step is to take out a CHP membership at www.chp.ca The next step is to contact George Zekveld at our national office in Ottawa and ask him for a Candidate Application Package. They can reach George at: nationaloffice@chp.ca or phone him. 1-888-868-3247.

TI: Many pro-lifers and social conservatives seem to just want Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party out of office, and many seem to think the only way to do that is vote Conservative. What do you say to those voters?

RT: That way of thinking is why Canada has gone downhill so fast. When people vote for “the lesser of two evils,” they’re telling politicians that it doesn’t really matter if they’re pro-life or not, whether they support MAiD or not, whether they support same-sex marriage or not. Unless voters demand pro-life, pro-family policies from politicians, our nation will continue to deteriorate. We all want to see the end of the Trudeau Liberal government. But that doesn’t justify moral compromise; there are more than two choices.

Pierre Poilievre supports abortion on demand; he supports same-sex marriage. He has done nothing to stop doctor-assisted suicide. He will not withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement or the globalist WHO. He did not vote against Bill C-4, that awful legislation that criminalizes parents for guiding their children in regard to sexual choices. He criticized his own MP, Arnold Viersen for expressing pro-life, pro-family views. If people want pro-life, pro-family policies, they will have to start voting for pro-life, pro-family CHP candidates.

God cannot and will not bless a nation that tolerates the shedding of innocent blood. Good economic policies are no substitute for sound moral values. If we want God’s blessing on our economy, our crops, our schools, our weather, we will have to start following his commands and promoting His values.

TI: Some people say that a vote for CHP is a ‘wasted vote.’ What do you say to those people?

RT: The only wasted vote is a vote cast for a candidate or a party that does not represent your deeply-held convictions. Your vote is a sacred gift from God and each Canadian has a responsibility to use that vote to influence public policy. Every vote for a pro-life candidate tells other politicians, media, and other voters that there are still people who value life and are willing to use their precious vote to declare their support for life. When enough people do that, we will have pro-life CHP candidates elected and it will influence politicians in other parties to do the right thing.

TI: The CHP is not a one-issue party. What else in the party platform would be of interest to pro-life, socially conservative, and Christian voters.

RT: Where should I start? You’re right! The CHP is not a one-issue party . . . but abortion is a one-party issue. The big parties—including the Conservatives—don’t want to discuss it. The CHP recognizes the importance of economic issues as well and we have a complete platform on all the issues that affect the lives of Canadians.

Of course, we would scrap the carbon tax and end the war on carbon. CO₂ is not pollution; it’s plant food! We would promote responsible resource development, including oil and gas. Canada can and should be energy-independent. We would eliminate the income tax and replace that needed revenue with a Fair Tax on purchases. We would end deficit spending and pay down the national debt with mandatory balanced budgets. We would reduce the housing affordability crisis by drastically cutting immigration and the foreign purchase of homes and land. We would bring manufacturing back to Canada, creating jobs and reducing our dependence on imports. We would protect private property rights, including legal gun ownership. We would protect the right of informed consent for all medical procedures. We would strengthen our military and provide better care for our veterans. We would privatize the CBC and end government subsidies to media. Readers can learn more about our policies at: www.chp.ca/about/platform

TI: What is your message to Canadians in the federal election?

RT: In this election, I urge Canadians to vote according to conscience and not to vote for the CPC just to get rid of the Liberals. I believe the Conservatives will easily win a majority in 2025 and Pierre Poilievre will very likely become our next Prime Minister. It’s important that we have pro-life, pro-family CHP MPs who will work together with Conservatives on many economic issues but who will stand up and speak up for the unborn, the elderly and the vulnerable and who will bring godly influence to bear on the important issues of life, family and freedom. This is one election where you can safely vote for the CHP without worrying about “splitting the vote.” Pierre Poilievre and all politicians need to learn that if they want pro-lifers to vote for them, they’ll have to show some courage and defend innocent human life. Your vote can have a huge impact on the future of pro-life politics in Canada.

TI: How can Interim readers help the CHP?

RT: The most important need right now is for candidates who will stand with us in the upcoming election for the sanctity of life. We have a friendly and knowledgeable team who can guide you through the steps to candidacy and through the campaign. Of course, like all political parties, we also need members and donations to be able to do our work.

One thing that costs no money and takes only a bit of courage is to share our message, share this article, share our website with your pro-life friends. They may never have heard of us or they may have been misinformed about us. You can tell others about the pro-life political alternative.

The most important thing though, is prayer. Without God, we can do nothing … but with God, all things are possible! Thanks to you and your readers for all your efforts on behalf of life.