First a bit of history. The Family Coalition Party was founded in 1987 with the co-operation of Campaign Life Coalition, which helped collect 12 000 signatures to help found the party. It has run a varying number of candidates in the Ontario Provincial election since then. Its best showing was 1990 when it ran 76 candidates, and certain candidates were even able to obtain double-digit support. At that time, eleven candidates made up the difference between the first and second candidate, meaning their candidacy had had an influence. Historically, the party does better when the Progressive 
Conservatives do not do well.
Giuseppe began to discuss the reason why support for the Family Coalition platform did not translate into votes. The main reason is the electoral system, because a vote for the FCP would seem like a wasted vote.
He laid much emphasis throughout the meeting of a referendum to be held in 2007 on electoral reform, like the one held in BC. The Government of Ontario has yet to put forward a proposed system of proportional representation, and this system will be the subejct of the referendum. If this system passes, it's almost a sure thing that the FCP will elect candidates in the 2011 because social conservatives will no longer feel that voting for the FCP is a wasted vote.This electoral system greatly hinders the work of the FCP because social conservatives become discouraged at ever influencing anything, so they drop out. For the referendum, only a majority vote will be required to approve the system, unlike the referendum in BC, which required 60%.
For the 2007 election, the overriding strategy is getting a candidate in every riding, which he is confident he can do, as he already has 22 candidates out of 107. The strategy is to build up the party as a credible alternative and provide one less excuse for the media to ignore the party. The other strategy is lots of advertizing, which will help profile the leader, Giuseppe Gori. In order for the leader to get attention, he needs a candidate in every riding. If the electorate does not see the leader in the media, they do not believe the party to be a credible alternative.
The implementation of a proportional representation system is crucial to FCP strategy, because under such a system, which would make election of FCP candidates almost a certainty, the media could not ignore the FCP.
Giuseppe noted that there are many positive things occuring that are giving more momentum to the FCP. Catholics are waking up, especially after the Same-sex marriage decision. The Vatican issued a doctrinal note saying that Catholics could not support a party that had principles diametrically opposed to the Catholic Faith. Some Bishops are beginning to speak up. The Americans are reacting and gaining social conservative victories, which has a trickle down effect. The Progressive Conservatives are veering left, leaving a social conservative vacuum, which the FCP will fill. The Provincial Liberals have suffered because of federal scandals, and the biggest plus is electoral reform.
Giuseepe addressed the question of working within the other parties to promote social conservative issues. He says it's been tried before, but the odds are stacked against social conservatives because party leaders can replace candidates, as Jean Chrétien did. Prolifers managed to do three years of background work to get ten pro-lifers nominated as candidates, but Chrétien replaced them.
This is precisely why the FCP was started.
The party needs more supporters, more members and more candidates. Candidates would have to fill forms out, but they are not obligated to spend any of their own money. The level of candidate involvement is determined by personal choice, but even a "name on the ballot" is still valuable. The party wil provide the training on how to speak to the media through training courses and a manual.
The Party's three major principles are The right to life, the right to freedom and the right to property, besides the belief that the family is the building block of society.
Members were informed how they could help-- by talking about the party, signing up people for the Impact newsletter and so on.
The mood was upbeat and positive, and there was a sense that the people there were ready to help the Party take on these challenges. It was defintively a meeting that built momentum.
