Over the past weekend, the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) held its convention in Calgary. Predictably, many of our pro-life friends in the CPC worked hard promoting this convention and pleading with pro-lifers across the country to come to Calgary and help pass pro-life policies that would guide the CPC if and when they actually achieve a majority in the House of Commons.

Also predictably, the pro-life resolutions that came to the floor were rejected by a majority of the delegates. Immediately, pro-life CPC loyalists pointed out that, “These resolutions only lost by a few votes . . . if only 62 more pro-lifers had shown up, we could have won!”

Technically, that’s true. But what does it mean in the real context of a potential Conservative government with Pierre Poilievre as Prime Minister? At the 3-day convention, Mr. Poilievre handily won a leadership review, receiving 87.4% of the votes cast. This surprised nobody. CPC delegates were enthusiastic about their leader and gave him strong ratings on his Friday-night speech. For those hoping to turn the CPC into a pro-life party, the loyal support for Mr. Poilievre should be inviting some ‘sober second thought’. Supporting Pierre Poilievre and promoting pro-life policies are mutually contradictory. But that philosophical contradiction doesn’t seem to faze our good pro-life friends who still cling to the Conservative Party as the vessel that will eventually bring in laws to protect innocent human life. That hope is misguided and history tells us why.

In the lead-up to Pierre’s successful 2022 leadership race, he made it abundantly clear that he supports abortion and same-sex marriage, positions which he has reiterated on numerous occasions since then. In 2024, after reprimanding pro-life MP Arnold Viersen for speaking out about abortion and same-sex marriage, the Conservative leader said that, “Mr. Viersen’s comments do not represent my views or the party’s views on either abortion or gay marriage . . . ,” and that a future Conservative government would not touch these topics. He went on to say, “As our party’s policy book, adopted by party members, has said for years, ‘a Conservative government will not support any legislation to regulate abortion.’ ”

Results on policy resolutions at the 2026 Convention reinforced the status quo. A resolution specifically calling for the removal of that party policy on abortion was defeated. Another resolution calling for the legal protection of babies “born alive after a failed abortion” also failed.

While pro-life party loyalists may wring their hands and say, “We just needed a few more pro-lifers at the convention . . . ,” the reality is far different. In the Sep. 10, 2022 vote that put Pierre Poilievre at the head of the CPC, he received 68.1% on the first ballot, based on 295,285 votes. Voting members knew where he stood on social issues…or they should have. He clearly stated them during the debates. CPC members could have voted for Leslyn Lewis, a respected MP with consistent pro-life and family principles. They did not. The strong majority who chose Mr. Poilievre did so either because they share his views or they put power over principles.

I grant that Mr. Poilievre is articulate, quick on his feet and a strong voice in debates in the House of Commons. He is able to put Liberal MPs back on their heels and to keep up the pressure with sharp quips and apt commentary. Those qualities were and are appreciated.

But none of that matters as long as he supports the ongoing slaughter of millions of babies and the continuing erosion of the traditional family through same-sex marriage and its associated evils. The God who made each one of us in His image is not impressed with fiery rhetoric and nimble partisanship. Our God calls on us to protect innocent human life at all stages. Without His blessing, no politician can accomplish anything. Without His blessing, no Canadian government will be able to usher in prosperity, make our cities safe, eliminate the national debt or stem the tide of drug overdoses.

I agree with the Conservatives, of course, that the Carney government is on the wrong path, that Mr. Carney and his predecessor, Mr. Trudeau have made things much worse, have weakened the economy, increased inflation, failed to protect our borders and fomented division among our citizens. The fact that Canadians have given them another mandate—albeit a weak one—says much about how state-funded media propaganda and a captured education system have twisted public perception and influenced voter choices. But we cannot overcome and replace the corrupt establishment by pretending that the taking of innocent lives by abortion and the destruction of the traditional family are acceptable. God doesn’t view it that way.

A couple more interesting observations about the ‘Conservative’ movement, federally and provincially: Danielle Smith, Alberta’s Premier, has offered her support to Mr. Poilievre. She said, at the convention that Pierre is “a champion of our beliefs.” In saying so, she acknowledges her own pro-abortion position, something that her United Conservative Party (UCP) supporters tolerate. Jason Kenney, former leader of her party added his comments on Pierre’s leadership with a surprising ‘positive critique’ of Poilievre’s speech at the convention. While heaping praise on the CPC Leader, he opined that the speech should have more strongly attacked the “threats posed by President Trump.” Apparently the ‘elbows up’ approach of Mark Carney that has created such anti-American and pro-European sentiment in Canada is something that Mr. Kenney thinks would serve the Conservative Party well in the next election. I don’t agree; but I am amazed that a person with Mr. Kenney’s experience would go down that road.

All this is to say that Canadians need representatives who will put principles over power and who will defend innocent human life in spite of manipulated public opinion polls. My hat goes off to those MPs serving in the CPC caucus who have bravely articulated their commitment to pro-life principles in spite of their party’s policies and their leader’s lack of support. MP Cathay Wagantall (Yorkton—Melville) stands out. She has presented three private member’s bills during her time in office, all three bringing attention to the plight of the pre-borns and the women carrying them. God will bless her for taking this moral stand.

The Christian Heritage Party does not have to vote on pro-life policy resolutions at our triennial conventions because our membership is already 100% pro-life. Our policy calls for the “protection of innocent human life from conception until natural death.” If not already a member, you can join us at www.chp.ca.