The Family Coalition Party is Ontario’s only life-respecting, pro-traditional family, and fiscally conservative political party. The FCP principles recognize the supremacy of God and the Rule of Law, respect for life, respect for freedom, and ownership of property. We recognize the family as the "basic building block of society”.
The party holds policy positions in all areas of governance including education, agriculture, economic reform, health care, social assistance, the environment, law and order, housing, government reform, Aboriginal / First Nation affairs, poverty, and public transportation.
The FCP has fielded candidates in every election since it was formed in 1987.
The Family Coalition Party became Ontario's fourth largest political party in the 1987 provincial election - twelve weeks after being formed. In spite of the short notice, the Family Coalition Party fielded 36 candidates in that election. More than 48,000 people chose the Family Coalition Party over established parties - a remarkable achievement for such a young party!
Why would a new party be necessary? The party was originally formed in reaction to the legalization of abortion in all circumstances. Pro-life voters found it difficult to be able to, in good conscience, cast their vote, so the Family Coalition Party was created to field pro-life candidates.
In the following years, the party expanded its focus to include ‘defending the traditional family’, and developed policies covering all areas of governance directly affecting the family, such as education, health-care, economy and taxation.
In the 1990 election, the Family Coalition Party doubled its size and received more than 110,000 votes. Family Coalition Party candidates significantly affected the election results - some receiving over 10% of the votes cast.
The party ran 51 candidates in the 2003 Provincial Election and 83 candidates in the 2007 Provincial Election.
The Family Coalition Party of Ontario is building a political party that will positively influence provincial policies and legislation for traditional, life respecting, family affirming, and fiscally conservative policies.
In the spring of 2009, the leadership of the party decided it was time to review the direction of the party. The review process was an opportunity to review the mission and vision, talk to members to get their perspective, and begin to build a renewed vision – one that embraces the strategy of effectively advocating for the people who share our principles between elections. Strategies to Build Upon
Networking to Rebuild the Coalition
To achieve any significant change requires bringing like-minded people together. The FCP is building relationship with organizations that share our principles. In the last few months we have been present at conferences with Real Women, The Manning Centre for Democracy, CHP Annual General Meeting(s), Canadian Institute for Policy Studies, Campaign Life Coalition, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, and many more. At these meetings and events we share our vision and build relationships with others who will work with us in the future.Significant effort has been placed into getting out to the community of members. Our Connections Tour is allowing us to get into many communities across the province. During the presentation people are introduced to the new vision and strategies and the response has been very encouraging.
Advocating for our Principles between Elections
In the past the FCP existed to run pro-family, pro-life candidates in the provincial elections so that people of conscience could cast a vote for someone that shared their principles. Between elections riding associations had little to meet about, and often closed up shortly after the election.The FCP is now actively advocating for our principles between elections, speaking up for the traditional family. One specific example is the education issue. Much is coming into the curriculum that contradicts the values being taught at home. If public education is to be truly public then there must be choice within education to allow for the multi-value systems that exist.
Local Riding Associations to be Community Watch Dogs
Change can happen more effectively at the local level than any other, hence who is in the best position to monitor local issues and advocate for the principles we uphold than the local riding associations. When the local riding association identifies an issue that they believe needs to be addressed (e.g. choice in education) they will work with central office to develop and implement an issue campaign at the local level.Hence FCP has joined forces with P.E.A.C.E. (Public Education Advocates for Christian Equity) to inform families about the issues, to support them by sharing these values and to help to provide options for their family.
FCP Central Office will work with our networking partner to actively engage local FCP riding associations (and other like-minded groups) to advocate for this issue at the local level where change is more likely to happen.
We are On the Right Track
A recent survey presented by the Manning Centre for democracy (April 2010) demonstrated that 89 percent of Canadians identify the Family as the most important issue.
This is closely followed by ‘marriage should be between one man and one woman (67%)’, and thirdly that abortion is wrong (60%). These are traditional values.
The majority of people hold to our principles. Between elections our political party will advocate for issues these traditional-valued people are concerned about.
Then, at election time, we will create a consistent political message traditionally-principled people will embrace. If we follow-through with such strategy,
we will earn the vote and positive change in this province will happen!
Site programmed by John Jankovic
