[MarchHare]

Heh, why am I not surprised. Don't like the facts, so attack the messenger.

Here's the original G&M article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Art...National/Canada

Christian activists have secured Conservative nominations in clusters of ridings from Vancouver to Halifax -- a political penetration that has occurred even as the party tries to distance itself from hard-line social conservatism.

At least three riding associations in Nova Scotia, four in British Columbia, and one in suburban Toronto have nominated candidates with ties to groups like Focus on the Family, a Christian organization that opposes same-sex marriage.

How is this debatable? The candidates themselves even admit that they're right-wing socially conservative Christians.

Here's another source: http://www.citizenimpact.ca/latest/tory_image.html

The Conservative party’s nomination procedures have left it vulnerable to special interest groups, a flaw some long-time activists worry could reinforce negative stereotypes about the party. Some Tories fret that a recent flurry of nominations has elected several socially conservative candidates who may provide more fuel to Liberal criticisms of the party.

“It doesn’t really matter what the agenda is, it should concern a political party when there is an organized campaign to take over a nomination, whatever the cause or the group,” said Val Meredith, a former British Columbia MP who is now a consultant and lobbyist. “Canadians don’t want their parties dominated by special interests.” Meredith, a long-time Reform MP, was ousted last year as a Tory candidate after a bitterly contested nomination battle during which religious conservatives opposed her.

[...]

Moderates within the party have recently raised concerns that fundamentalist Christian organizations have succeeded in winning control over a clutch of riding associations in B.C., Ontario and Nova Scotia. In those ridings, candidates with ties to groups like the Christian Legal Defence Fund, Focus on the Family - which is affiliated with a well-funded U.S. organization of the same name - and to evangelical churches won nominations with the support of high-profile pastors.

Edit: You'll notice they quoted a long-time Reform Party member there, not a Liberal fear-mongerer.

And how is my Point #3 questionable? How many Tory MPs voted in favour of the same-sex marriage legislation? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't over 95% of Conservative Party MPs vote against Bill C-38?

Please show me where these policies are laid out in thier party platform, because I've gone throughout thier platform papers and policy statements and have never seen a single thing on overturning abortion.

As I acknowledged above, it is not part of the CPC platform to overturn abortion, because doing so would spell instant election defeat for the Tories. But Harper has been quoted as saying he would allow a free vote if a private member was to introduce such legislation. That, to me, is quite worrisome.

This source actually comes from a conservative pro-life site. Are you going to dismiss it as a pro-Liberal rag too?

Earlier this month, Harper said that as a Conservative Prime Minister, he would allow a free vote in the House should a private member's bill be brought forward on the subject of abortion.

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/jun/04061407.html