by Michael Wagner
2025 / 334 pages
Editor’s note: this review was of the previous edition, that didn’t include the foreword by Jonathon Van Maren, but which is otherwise the same.
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Interested in Canadian politics? Then this is the book for you. The subtitle of Michael Wagner’s book – The Past, Present and Future of Canada’s Christian Right – says it all. In this book you’ll find a thorough review of rightwing Christian politics in Canada throughout the last century.
Beginning in the early 1900’s, Wagner covers all of the major players who helped develop rightwing politics as we know it today. Some of the names are familiar, such as Ernest Manning, Ken Campbell, and Ralph Klein.
Others like Robert Thompson, Gwen Landolt and Bob Birch probably aren’t as well known, but played crucial roles nonetheless. Chapter after chapter delves into the roles each of these people had, and provides examples of their struggles and successes as they fought to shine their light in Canada.
Wagner also shows how many of the organizations that we have grown familiar with, such as the Christian Heritage Party and even Alberta Report magazine were started in response to political developments brought about by the left, like legalized abortion, gay marriage, and the institution of the Human Rights Tribunals (these tribunals punish for “hate crimes” anyone who dares to condemn the homosexual lifestyle as wrong).
The writing style is remarkably easy to read, and is liberally interspersed with quotes from many other writers. While written from a Christian perspective, this volume makes no attempt to sugarcoat anyone or anything. In pro-choice versus pro-life clashes, for example, Wagner documents wrongs done on both sides!
All in all this is a very educational read, and gave me an appreciation for the political battle which has been going on for many years. Wagner ends it with a sense of urgency for Christians to stand up for our beliefs and become more and more involved in our political environment.
