Our apologies that this edition of CLC National News is late. We felt we must wait until the election results were in so that we'd be able to give you the 'big picture.'

The first and most important message to all of you is that we should thank God the abortion topic was raised to such unexpected prominence during the election campaign.

Of course it was political manipulation that initiated this to try to hurt the Conservatives. But in the end that strategy backfired and it was emphatically proved that being pro-life not did not hurt candidates. In fact in many cases it considerably helped them while revealing that abortion obsessed Paul Martin and his Liberal strategists and the NDP were the real fanatics.

This was CLC's most effective federal election campaign effort ever, involving a large crew of workers at the Toronto and Ottawa offices and many volunteers across the country. We started our election preparation for this campaign last year during candidate nominations and played a key role in assisting pro-life candidates in targeted ridings. That proved to be excellent pre-election strategy - first get the right candidates in position.

In our January CLC National News we began distribution of the voting records of the MPs on several crucial life and family issues. We received many notes, calls and emails congratulating our efforts to make supporters aware of how their members voted. Then we sent you MPs Report Cards grading the parliamentarians on their voting records from A+ to F.

The response to LifeSite's Internet publication of election articles, MP voting records and CLC's on-going candidate evaluations was also enthusiastic. Many said that this was the best CLC federal election Internet page ever. Traffic to the site was certainly far higher than ever.

Congratulations are especially due to all the clergy who spoke out on life and family issues during the election. For many, it was their best opportunity to forcefully preach on the abortion and same-sex unions issues and the related, serious obligations of Christian voters.

Many pastors emphasized that protection of life and family should be the first voting priority. You should thank them and we should all encourage much more of this. Rarely has there been so much applause for homilies.

For many years now, the powerful influence of the majority Christian community against the politically driven moral corruption of our nation has been mostly dormant. I think we are seeing the beginning of the end of this deadly slumber and the related pre-occupation of church organizations and leaders with far less important and more secular economic and other concerns.

Keep insisting that your church leaders speak out more frequently and forcefully on the grave duty of Christian voters and politicians to be faithful to the will of God especially on His loving rules on life, family and morality.

Thanks are also due to pastors who refused to allow their church facilities to be used for election night parties by pro-abortion candidates, just as the Catholic men's organization, the Knights of Columbus, has forbidden the use of Knights facilities or those under their control to be used by pro-abortion candidates. Perhaps all church organizations will consider implementing the same type of policy that says we really mean what we say about life and family being sacred and a being a very high priority.

Thank you too, to all those who voted for pro-life, pro-family candidates -- your efforts were most important. They resulted in more pro-life candidates being elected to the House of Commons. Please continue to educate your MPs on life and family issues. Do not assume they know everything about the issues important to you. I can assure you, they do not!

Thank you to all those who prayed for our efforts. The work carried out in CLC offices and in the ridings was awesome. Those who supported it in prayer must have been very dedicated to their requests and petitions.

Thus far, 2004 has been a very active year for CLC. Now that the federal election is history, other projects and on-going strategies will return to the ' front burner' as we ready ourselves for LifeChain, our National Conference in the fall and other upcoming campaigns and projects.

Two days after the election, CLC started making its plans for the next federal election, perhaps within 18 months (with a minority government one never knows). Our national strategy meeting is scheduled for mid-September where a thorough analysis of the election results will be discussed and plans formulated to carry out pre-election strategies for the next federal campaign. Also, CLC will completely review its tactics and strategies for the past year and ongoing. It's pretty intense, but totally worthwhile.

As you can imagine, our coffers are now bare, really bare, and in need of an immediate infusion of financial support. Before the election campaign there were tens of thousands of mailings and during the campaign we had to hire more staff. For these efforts, as we explain in the CLC National News, there are many more identifiable pro-life MPs in Parliament and all but three incumbent pro-life MPs were re-elected, with one being replaced by another pro-life candidate.

We recognize that the summer months are very important to all of us in order to re-charge our batteries and re-connect with friends, family and loved ones. There are also numerous distractions, as we enjoy outdoor leisure activities. But our work continues unceasingly on a day to-day basis. We need your help now. Please give generously.

For life,
Jim Hughes
National President

P.S. See the National News about the inspiring March for Life 2004 DVD that we produced for the Knights of Columbus. If you are donating $25 or more and would like to receive the general public version check the appropriate box on the response card.

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Look past the party results and put aside for a minute how moral issues will be dealt with in the next Parliament; look only at who got elected and the June 28 federal election was not nearly as bad as many think it is at first glance. Our analysis finds that there are at least a dozen additional pro-life MPs - and that does not include those who said they would represent the wishes of their constituents or those who did not reveal their views on the life issues. Now when legislation threatening or protecting the sanctity of human life comes before Parliament, we are that much closer to ensuring the dignity of every human being is recognized in law. This, folks, is progress. It might not be as fast as we had hoped to see - frankly we would have liked to have seen the vast majority of MPs elected on June 28 to be pro-life - but we are getting closer to the goal of a pro-life parliamentary majority.

When the Globe and Mail reported on its front page that Conservative health critic Rob Merrifield wanted counselling for women considering abortion, that was the cue for the Liberals to launch their pre-planned strategy to attack the Conservatives as social extremists. We warned you before about their strategy. Within days, the major papers were digging for what they labeled as "embarrassing" quotes by pro-life candidates (usually only the Conservatives). You see, many political strategists and the media are self brainwashed. Despite many years of solid evidence to the contrary, they seem determined to believe that abortion is an electoral albatross, an issue that once attached to a party or leader or candidate, will probably sink their chances of victory.

The Merrifield story ran the same day that the Conservatives were pulling even in the polls. Cynics might believe that the media was a willing accomplice in the Liberal strategy to use abortion as a wedge issue or at least to divert attention away from the corruption of some within the Liberal government. The big brains in Team Martin thought hammering away at abortion "rights" and same-sex "marriage" would help their party. This deeply flawed advice was based on the false assumption that Canadians support the abortion status quo and that championing unfettered abortion would attract female and Ontario voters. They called Stephen Harper pro-life (which he is not), a line dutifully reported by the Liberal's flunkies in the media. But instead of leaving the image of an extremist Conservative Party, Canadians saw an intolerant, abortion and homosexual marriage obsessed Liberal Party. In their door-to-door canvassing pro-life Liberal MPs were dismayed by the effect their leader's pre-occupation with alienating religious, pro-life and traditional values voters was having on the electorate.

Revealingly, hardly any of the media and political leaders actually discussed abortion - the truth about the humanity of the child in the womb, the fact that abortion kills a human being. The broad topic of a deliberately evasive "right to choose" repeatedly came up, but not as an issue to be explored or debated. It was used as a political hammer or responded to as something to be completely avoided. Still, the controversy forced many Canadians, candidates and voters alike, to give abortion considerable thought. Pro-life Canadians marvelled that it became such a major topic during the election and forced many politicians, especially at voters' doors, to discuss the issue. We should be thankful for that. Once again, it has been shown that the elite cannot claim there is social peace on abortion.

Abortion is NOT the hindrance many political strategists, media pundits and indeed candidates themselves believe it to be. The proof is in the raw facts and numbers, so please consider:

• In an election in which abortion was featured prominently, there are at least a dozen additional pro-life MPs.
• Only three incumbent pro-life MPs lost and one of them (Liberal Janko Peric in Cambridge, Ontario), lost to another pro-lifer (Conservative Gary Goodyear).
• All but one of the pro-life Liberal MPs won decisive victories, in many cases winning with more than 50% of the vote. The only close race was in Middlesex-Kent-Lambton where Rose-Marie Ur narrowly defeated another pro-lifer, Conservative challenger Bev Shipley.
• About half of the Conservative contingent of 24 MPs from Ontario is pro-life. For years we were told that Ontario was the land of "moderation" where pro-life candidates, especially, would frighten away voters. Funny how those pushing that propaganda in the parties have almost always been pro-abortion.
• Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke) was vilified by the media for her comments at the March for Life two months ago in which she compared abortion to the beheading of an American in Iraq. She did not apologize for her remarks despite a barrage of media criticism. She won a resounding re-election receiving 27,494 votes or 55.1% of the total, versus her nearest competitor's 14,806 votes.
• When abortion took central stage, the Conservatives, taking the more moderate position of allowing free votes versus Paul Martin's strident and false criticism of the Conservatives as doctrinaire pro-lifers, pulled ahead in the polls. Yes, they went up, not down, defying politically correct gravity! It was only when Stephen Harper arrogantly mused about a majority that the media played the fear card (people fearful of the devil they didn't know) and Paul Martin returned to the theme of healthcare, did the Liberals regain the lead.

More pro-life MPs and many pro-life candidates winning by significant margins refuted the lie about pro-life being a political handicap. Especially on contentious issues such as abortion and same-sex unions, what DOES hurt candidates is being coy or evasive about their position. Hiding behind referenda or otherwise being unclear sends mixed signals and gives credence to charges of a hidden agenda, no matter how ridiculous such attacks might be.

Canadians appreciate candidates who are upfront and honest on moral issues. They are seen as more trustworthy and principled - even to voters who disagree with them on moral issues. No party should try to stop its candidates from clearly articulating their personal positions on abortion. By doing so it writes off millions of pro-life Canadians. You would think that the low voter turnout of 60%, the lowest in over 100 years, would tell the party hacks there is something seriously wrong with their strategies. Canadians are rightly or wrongly perceiving less of a difference between the parties and many just don't trust them anymore. It doesn't have to be that way.

A number of high profile socially liberal candidates lost. In the New Brunswick riding of Fundy, Rob Moore, who describes himself as pro-life (he didn't return a questionnaire and CLC did not qualify him) defeated John Herron, the pro-abortion former Tory who switched to the Liberal Party after the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservatives merged last December. Herron said the new party's supposed social conservatism - and we remind supporters that the new party does not have an official position on these or any other issues - made him uncomfortable. Another Tory who switched to the Liberals after the merger because of the new party's "social conservatism" was openly homosexual Scott Brison. Brison was re-elected but it is notable that his opponent, Bob Mullan, did not indicate he was pro-life or against same-sex "marriage". The openly gay former mayor of Winnipeg, Glen Murray, lost in his bid to become an MP and certainly a cabinet minister. Murray lost to disabilities activist Stephen Fletcher in the suburban riding of Charleswood-St James. And while former Conservative Party leadership candidate Belinda Stronach was supposed to win her Newmarket Aurora riding easily, hers was one of the last ridings called in the entire country, it was so close. Stronach's pro-abortion, pro-same sex "marriage" position did not significantly differentiate her from her Liberal opponent.

Clearly, many supporters of the Conservative Party want a socially conservative, genuine alternative to the dominant Liberal agenda of abortion on demand and radical change of family and marriage; but it is clear that the Liberal Party has also had many supporters who respect life and family and do not want to see their society turned upside-down by even more social radicalism. As for the NDP, based on hundreds of stories related to us over the years, many are certainly in the same position. We reiterate this point because it is so important: candidates must be allowed freedom to stand on principle and make their position on abortion and marriage perfectly clear to voters and, once elected, to be allowed to vote their conscience on moral issues. It will be a benefit to those parties who accept the necessity of this principle and it will make a positive difference to the future of our nation: countless unborn babies and families will depend on it.

At the first sign of trouble less than 10 days into the federal election campaign, we heard rumours that the elite of the Liberal party had met to begin discussing Paul Martin's replacement. Who knows how long until the party replaces its leader but considering Martin's poorer than expected showing on June 28, it will probably be sooner than later. One Liberal Senator has already said that Martin must prove himself worthy of keeping the job by December. We urge those of you who are inclined to identify themselves as Liberals to keep your party memberships up-to-date to ensure that you can participate in the leadership selection process. There is a very good chance that a leadership race could be called hurriedly, so please get involved now. Pro-life Liberals may have an historic opportunity to take their party back from the pro-abortion, anti-family extremists who have run the party for the last few decades.

The Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership contest is under way and the convention to crown a new leader will be upon us before we know it. About the only thing we know for sure about the contest is that the convention will be held September 18. Other than that - the rules, the form of the ballot, etc... - are undecided; or at least unannounced.

Thus far, the leadership candidates include former Toronto mayoral candidate John Tory and two former provincial cabinet ministers, Jim Flaherty and Frank Klees. Flaherty and Klees have a somewhat pro-life, pro-family record and were members of the PC Family Values Caucus.

Tory is altogether another case and absolutely no friend of those who cherish life and family as high priorities. While it is possible that someone else will enter the race, a poll showing John Tory with support above 50% among PC voters, which was reported by the Toronto Sun's Christina Blizzard on June 20, may scare off any new challengers. It is imperative that Ontario pro-lifers inclined to support the Progressive Conservative party ensure their party membership is up-to-date so that they will be able to participate in the leadership selection process. Polls such as those that Blizzard reported can be overcome but only if pro-life and pro-family Ontario citizens get involved.

The Globe and Mail attacked LifeSiteNews.com by innuendo by linking a story it ran in May about a CTV made-for-TV-movie on homosexual student Marc Hall and property damage done to Tapestry, a production company responsible for producing the show. The Globe extensively quoted a staff member at Tapestry who vaguely described the damage done to their offices and her complaint that websites criticized the show and distributed contact information to "target" them. The next paragraph mentioned only one website - LifeSiteNews. LifeSiteNews' reports on the Marc Hall story did not provide any contact information other than the email address to CTV programming. Furthermore, Toronto police are not treating this as a hate crime.

Detective James Hogan told a LifeSiteNews reporter that property was taken and the offices left a mess and that there was absolutely no indication the crime was motivated by opposition to Tapestry's involvement in the Marc Hall TV movie. It seems that the production company was seeking - and received - a little free advertising for their movie. Still, the accusation was very serious and LifeSiteNews retained legal counsel to write a letter of complaint to the Globe. CLC is concerned that pro-family media will be unjustly targeted for hate crime prosecution and we are watching such developments very closely.

Included in this mailing is a card that can be shown to pharmacists when you are having a prescription filled. The card requests that a pharmacist not fill your prescriptions with products from Paladin Laboratories or Pharmascience Inc. These two companies produce and distribute abortifacient drugs including Plan B, the so-called morning-after pill. The morning-after pill often works by making the uterus inhospitable to new embryonic life - a tiny human being - thus killing it. Presenting this card to pharmacists is an excellent opportunity to educate them about abortifacient drugs, or at the very least to inform them that you, as a paying customer, do not want to enrich large pharmaceutical companies that are profiting from the killing of unborn babies. If you wish, you may reproduce the card (back and front) and distribute the copies to pharmacists when handing in your prescription.

We are extremely saddened by Dana Rosemary Scallon's loss in the European Parliament vote last month. Scallon, a Member of European Parliament (MEP) for Ireland and a tireless pro-life crusader, finished fourth in regional balloting; the top three candidates are elected MEPs. Scallon was a singer and television personality in Ireland before being elected MEP in 1999. Since then, she has opposed the liberalization of abortion and embryonic stem cell research proposed by the European Union. Although other pro-life candidates won elsewhere in Ireland, Scallon's leadership on this issue will be hard to replace and at a time when our friends all over Europe tell us that they expect an even more aggressive push for abortion to be declared a right and for state-funding of embryonic stem cell research. We pray that Europe does not go further down the road of moral decadence and that a Culture of Life is rejuvenated. We are also confident that Dana Scallon will remain a pro-life leader in a new capacity.

This summer, we have nine university and college students working in the office. This affords young people an opportunity to get some practical work experience while also learning about the pro-life movement. They also help relieve the workload of regular staff and volunteers, many of whom take holidays in the summer.

Come September, however, we will need to replace these workers with capable volunteers. There are letters to be written, photos to be filed, mail to be put in envelopes, phones to be answered and much, much more. If you can assist in any of these regular tasks or if you have special skills that CLC might benefit from, please contact us immediately. Whether you can help one day a week or several, your contribution in time and effort will go a long way to helping the unborn. We also have opportunities to help CLC from home. Your local CLC representatives could also use a hand; please contact them to offer any assistance you can. Action Item: To volunteer please contact Office Manager Deny Dieleman at (416) 204-9749 or 1-800-730-5358.

As we reported before, this year's March for Life was the best yet and quite the uplift for all participants. CLC produced a special 20 minute DVD video of the May 12-14 events for an Ontario Knights of Columbus convention a week after the march. The video received loud applause and was such a hit that we have decided to offer a slightly revised version to our supporters. To experience the joy and enthusiasm of March for Life 2004 and hopefully also encourage many more people to come to the 2005 March we are offering this DVD for donations of $25 or more. Contact Emma at Campaign Life Coalition (1-800-730-5358 or 416-204-9749) if you would like to order bulk quantities of the DVD at special bulk quantity prices. We can also send a VHS version but caution that the DVD version provides far superior video and audio quality.

Yours for life
Jim Hughes
National President

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