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Although virtually all of Canada once supported the general principles of the so-called “Christian Right”, this term has come to refer to a social movement working to conserve a particular set of socially conservative values which are optimal for human flourishing. 

Over the years, these values have come under attack and Mr. Wagner’s very readable book gives us, for the first time, a well-researched history of the Canadian response to attacks on the family and social conservative values.  This is information that the liberal press has tried to ignore

Countless Numbers of Courageous Canadians Shape the Movement

Mr. Wagner provides a concise history of the many groups and political parties rooted in many denominations and backgrounds, which organized over several decades to combat social decline in Canada.  The battles over abortion, pornography, homosexuality, marriage, school curricula and religious rights are deftly covered.  The various court challenges, legislative battles, signature campaigns (over a million against legalized abortion), and judicial activist tactics are well summarized for an overview of important inter-linked events.  Crucial names, quotations and events from both sides of the divide make interesting reading.  Reference is made to hate literature, death threats and assaults on pro-life and pro-family supporters, intolerance which is rarely reported in our so-called mainstream media.  Although hundreds are mentioned by name, the 274 pages cannot contain all the unsung heroes and heroines in many fields of endeavour, who selflessly came to the defense of life, family and genuine freedom during this dark period of our history. The author, however, highlights three Canadians who have had a major influence in shaping the social movement: Rev. Ken Campbell, journalist Ted Byfield and lawyer Gwen Landolt. 

Ken Campbell’s groundbreaking protest against immoral literature, homosexual activism and sex education in the school his children attended in the 1970’s, gave birth to the Christian Right in Canada, according to Wagner. The Rev. Campbell heroically opposed the abortion industry. 

Ted Byfield’s Alberta Report and subsequent publications, as well as his many influential columns in various newspapers were always mindful of the fact that “the popular rejection of moral principle inevitably precedes and contributes to the fall of a civilization.”  His observation of media hostility to social conservatives after a decision unfavorable to pro-family Canadians is priceless: “By far the most shrill language occasioned by the Vriend Supreme Court of Canada decision came from those who were deeply deploring shrill language, and the most righteous of indignation emerged from those vehemently deploring righteous indignation.  Obviously nobody can hate quite as fervently as the denouncers of hatred.”  Ted Byfield’s humorous comments are effectively presented throughout the book.

Inside Radical Feminism

The author includes Gwen Landolt’s prescient comments, made in 1981, which have stood the test of time:

The most important effect of an entrenched Charter of Rights would be that it would give rise to a shift in power from Parliament, which is subject to public opinion, to the Supreme Court of Canada, which is not.

…under an entrenched Charter of Rights, many of our fundamental rights and freedoms, which we now take for granted, and which have long been established in this country, may be lost, …

As we now know, the courts have entered the political arena to shape social values and change Canada according to their particular designs.

The book gives a clear picture of REAL Women’s policies and the damage feminism has done to the well being of women and families.  A history of federal government rejection of REAL Women because it was not deemed to be promoting “equality”, is provided.  Michael Wagner contends that REAL Women “helped set back the feminist cause.”  He quotes Kenneth Whyte, now editor-in-chief of MacLean’s magazine:

The group has touched off one of the noisiest, nastiest and most important political battles in the country today, a battle for the mind, soul and support of the average Canadian woman….  REAL Women has managed to put the brakes on a feminist-inspired drive towards socialism…. (1987)

Michael Wagner then concludes that “REAL Women was the strongest voice for the Christian Right in Canada, at least for the 1980s and 1990s.”

Wagner quotes William Gairdner, author of The War Against the Family (1992), an important resource on the change in sexual order and state power against the family.  Commenting on what he calls “the deadly conflict between statism and the whole idea of the private family”,  Gairdner observes “Inside every radical feminist is a little officer of the police state.”

Michael Wagner’s history of state driven revolution under the guise of human rights and women’s liberation in Canada is an important contribution at this time, as a new generation experiences the bitter fruits of liberal “progress.”

Hopeful Conclusion

In Wagner’s book we see that hindsight is not always kind to major political and religious figures who played out the progressive script as they wittingly or unwittingly drove the advances of homosexual and “reproductive rights” interests.  A kinder light shines on the many Canadians who responded by coming to the defense of the unborn, working to protect the innocence of children in our school system and opposing attempts to re-order marriage and family.  

Michael Wagner’s intelligent, thoughtful and courageous book points to better days as he lists the negative health effects of homosexuality, family breakdown, day care and risky behaviours, on men, women and children, with valuable references to current professional sources.  He finds reason for optimism in the many studies showing that traditional, family-oriented, social conservative values lead to healthier, happier and longer lives, along with viable population replacement for those who adhere to these principles.

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