What the B.C. Conservatives just endorsed
At the end of April, the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada was welcomed into the Hall of Honour at the BC Legislature by BC Conservative MLA Heather Maahs. According to Church for Vancouver, ARPA鈥檚 Executive Director, Mike Schouten, received the honour in recognition of the group鈥檚 20 years of 鈥淐hristian political engagement.鈥� But behind the photo op lies a concerning agenda that deserves scrutiny鈥攏ot celebration.
ARPA claims that Canada was 鈥渇ounded on Judeo-Christian principles,鈥� a phrase often used as a moral wedge to justify policies rooted in a narrow interpretation of Christian doctrine. On the surface, it sounds like a benign historical nod. In practice, however, it鈥檚 a political strategy designed to assert Christian dominance over public life and policy. What鈥檚 worse, this ideology is increasingly framed within a victim narrative鈥攖he idea that 鈥渞eformed鈥� Christians are being pushed out of government and public discourse for simply expressing their beliefs.
Let鈥檚 be clear: religious freedom is protected in Canada. Christians are free to worship, gather, speak, and organize鈥攋ust like every other faith group. But freedom of religion does not mean freedom to impose religious beliefs on everyone else. ARPA鈥檚 brand of advocacy seeks to re-center Christian values as the moral compass of Canada鈥檚 institutions, while marginalizing communities鈥攑articularly 2SLGBTQIA+ people鈥攚ho do not conform to that worldview.
In fact, much of ARPA鈥檚 work, along with groups like Action4Canada, is overtly hostile to 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. These groups repeatedly argue that recognizing gender diversity, protecting trans youth, or supporting same-sex marriage is an 鈥渁ttack on Christian values.鈥� Ironically, they claim to champion diversity while advocating for the erasure of anyone who doesn鈥檛 fit into their strict religious mould.
This is where the implications become dangerous. When politicians align with groups like ARPA or give them space in the people鈥檚 house鈥攖he Legislature鈥攊t signals that one set of religious values should have disproportionate influence in shaping our laws. That鈥檚 not religious freedom. That鈥檚 theocracy-lite.
This fundamentalism also poses a problem for John Rustad and the BC Conservatives, who enjoyed a meteoric rise in the last election. With that rise comes an uncomfortable truth: they鈥檝e become a magnet for political extremists who see the party as their best shot at mainstream influence. Within six months of gaining traction, the BC Conservatives are already grappling with internal rifts, as more moderate conservatives grow uneasy with the hardline social views of some of their MLAs and supporters.
The welcoming of ARPA into the Legislature wasn't just a photo op鈥攊t was a signal. And for many British Columbians, especially 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, religious minorities, and secular voters, it was a chilling one.
Canada鈥檚 history is diverse and complex. Yes, Christian institutions played a role in our founding鈥攂ut so did colonialism, exclusion, and cultural genocide. To say that Canada was founded on Judeo-Christian principles without acknowledging the harm done in the name of those principles is not just misleading鈥攊t鈥檚 a rewriting of history that serves a political agenda.
In a democracy, no religion should hold the reins of power. Our laws must reflect universal rights, not theological preferences. If your beliefs require denying others their identity or rights, the issue is not your religious freedom being under attack鈥攊t鈥檚 your refusal to share space in a pluralistic society.
~ Wilbur Turner is a political strategist and community advocate based in 琉璃神社, British Columbia, with deep roots in Alberta. With experience on the ground in federal and municipal campaigns, and a passion for civic engagement, Turner offers sharp, accessible insight into the political issues shaping our region and country. He was selected by the University of British Columbia for an Honorary Doctor of Laws for his significant contribution to the community.
