While there are a few years until the next federal election, a political party is working to establish itself in the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky riding.
The Christian Heritage Party (CHP) is taking steps to familiarize the public with the party's views and platforms in a bid to be on the ballot.
A public meeting was held at Davis Bay Hall on Sept. 17 where CHP deputy leader Rod Taylor led a question and answer session.
Graham Wray, CHP interim secretary treasurer for the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky riding, said about 15 people attended the meeting with an interest to join.
"It was a start and that began the long process," said Wray. "We have to start here on the Sunshine Coast, but we have to expand and spread out to West Vancouver, Whistler, Squamish, and Powell River."
As stated on their website, the CHP describes itself as "Canada's only pro-life federal political party and the only federal party that endorses the Judeo-Christian principles enshrined in the Canadian constitution."
"The party represents the basic principles of the Christian heritage of this country, on a biblical principle, and that all those rights are consistent with laws expressed in the Bible.
This is our inheritance, our cultural legacy," said Wray.
When asked how the CHP would benefit the Coast, Wray said the party would bring forth public issues that are not accepted or discussed.
"We think it is only healthy in society to be able to talk about the need for protecting families, for the need to educate their children in a balanced way, to learn to be able to discuss and learn to avoid lasting debt, debt that is passed on to others and other generations, and to preserve human life in all its stages," said Wray. "That is what we consider important to this community and all other communities."
Founded in Surrey by Gerhard Herwig, the party was accepted for registration by the chief electoral officer of Canada in 1986.
The party claims that it seeks to represent all Canadians, and specifically denies any interest in converting all Canadians to Christianity. As of the 2011 election, the party has yet to obtain a seat in the House of Commons. Jim Hnatiuk has led the party since 2008.
"As we've got years to go before the next election, what we want to do is make it clear we do not have a candidate and we're welcome to receive applications from any number of candidates," said Wray. "Having had that meeting and having got our core group, we're going to start expanding."
For more information on the party see www.chp.ca.
