An interview with Alain Paquette, pro-life candidate in Quebec
A federal by-election is about to be called in the riding of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun on the island of Montreal, following the resignation of former Justice Minister David Lametti. We were able to meet a pro-life candidate who decided to run. Alain Paquette will represent the Christian Heritage Party (CHP) in this election which will take place no later than September 16, 2024. This week, we had the opportunity to ask Mr. Paquette several questions. Here are his answers:
CQV: "Why did you decide to go into politics? »
A.P. "I responded to a call to defend pro-life values politically. I was already active in other engagements, such as writing to MPs and signing petitions. So far, I've remained comfortable as individuals, but when I was asked [about it], I said 'present.' And then I went on the tour and saw how I was getting involved. Since abortion was my main issue, I said that I have to go to the federal level to change the legislation and not to the municipal and provincial levels.
I went to see Arnold Viersen and we started talking more about politics, and his work was still exceptional in defending life in parliament. And I realized then that the member who was in my riding of Bourassa was promoting the right to abortion in Haiti where abortion is illegal. So, my own MP was working like that against the rights to life. I did my own research and the CHP was the most representative of the values I stood for, and I told myself that this is where I need to go. That's when I became a member and gradually I raised my hand to become a candidate. I was planning to run as a candidate in Bourassa, but the PHC was looking for a candidate for the by-election in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun and I answered the call.
This is in line with my desire to bring the good news and especially to allow people who have no other choice [such as voting pro-life]. Also, I want to go further in this, not just to make a [pro-life option on the ballot], but also to gather [people] to join the [CHP] movement. We are moving in the right direction to defend the most vulnerable against the three irreversible scourges, which are abortion, medical assistance in dying and transgender irreversible surgeries — these scourges that must be reversed. These are my 3 main workhorses. »
CQV: "For you, what does it mean to be pro-life?"
A.P. "Being pro-life means defending life from conception. Being a woman should be pro-life, she is the one who generates life. The church defends the dignity of women, even in Mary — she is the Queen of Heaven after all. The church gives Mary as the highest creature — there is only God who is superior, so we are going to magnify the one who replaced Eve since she gave us the Lord who was also born as a child — he satisfied us all, delivered us, healed us and he ascended to heaven with his body and soul. Therefore, if we follow Jesus [we must believe that] life was made to be taken up into heaven and not to be cast away. For me, to be pro-life is to follow life in Christ. »
CQV — "Why are Christian values necessary for good governance of the country? »
A.P. "Because we put the good news to good use. God's word [says] "Love your neighbor as yourself," and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." So, if we apply the maxim, we are really a salt in putting the moral basis of society back into a perspective of a peaceful and sanctifying life for all. So if we go in the direction of the word of God, then we are really in a perspective where we will favor the virtues rather than the errors of sin. [In society] we have lost a little of the sense of sin and the sense of immortal life. We act as if we are not accountable for our actions. As He says, "to whom much has been entrusted, more will be demanded." So, if we are going to apply things that are diabolical, to kill the life that has been entrusted to us, we are not the faithful stewards that we should be.
So, the treasure entrusted to us — at that point, if our personal freedom gives free rein to murder, it's completely reprehensible. Of course, God's mercy is high, except that we can't say that we wash our hands of it either. Helping [to have an abortion] is completely evil. By violating [our conscience] for our freedom, we put to death the vulnerable child who is there, who has been entrusted to us, our own flesh in the end. So we have to protect women from what they believe is a way to save their careers, their reputations, their friends or to prevent their social life from being disrupted. We have to save them all, the mother and the child too. We need their children, our families, because we can also solve the problem of immigration by saving all children. Through adoption, through material assistance, through the use of state resources for a parental support program, women are spared from mourning — since it is not a bundle of flesh that is left behind, it is a complete being who has feelings and a perception of what is happening. You have to see him as a being in his own right. So if you cut it, it's a mourning — you can say that you've become free, but on the contrary you really have the funeral of a heart...
You have to be healed — basically you have to pray for them, but above all you have to intervene to legislate so that the unborn children are full citizens from the legal point of view — not to penalize women, but on the contrary, it's to help them — and I'm sure they'll be indebted for that later when they see that the child has changed their lives for the better and is a grace and the same support.
We were not born in a place we chose, nor to parents we chose, nor in a time we chose, but why are we here? Because we had a mission to accomplish and we have to see that perspective. What the Christian Heritage Party is really going to do is to prevent these murders from being paid for by the public purse. We also want to save doctors and nurses from being hitmen — we want to free them and regenerate the confession of the best bases. One wonders why there is a shortage of family doctors when doctors are forced to perform abortions or euthanasia. We also need to save our children from transgender ideology — we need to put catechism back in school rather than casino shows. In the whole culture as well — violence must be removed and legislation must be passed on to replace this violence against children with a conducive environment. We want to promote a regenerated culture that is aligned with the beauty of creation and life. »
CQV: "Professionally, what do you do for a living? What have you done in the past? »
A.P. "I'm now retired. In the past, I have done several things — after graduation, I worked in general insurance. For more than five years, I worked for several companies, including here in LaSalle. […] I have worked in other fields. I worked for Bell, I even patrolled for Star Choice in Verdun — to sell satellite plans. I was a representative at Bell Canada, customer service, I also did a bit of trucking, and a delivery person. It was an experiment — I started a small business for music publishing — recordings. I lived my passion, and after that I changed jobs. I've been in the food business. »
CQV: "Does the CHP represent a specific Christian denomination?"
A.P. "All the denominations are present. All those who believe in Jesus Christ and have Christian values — Protestants, Orthodox, and Anglicans. Catholics are also part of the equation, so I'm in. Of course, I am more Marian than many others in the party, but it is a party where prayer is important for all members. The Rosary of the Unborn Child is something [around which] every Catholic should rally. Our Lady gave us the Rosary of the Unborn Child and then, as Jesus said in an apparition in 2006, we should use it as a nuclear weapon against legalized abortion.
When you enter [the PHC] as a member, you have to make a profession of faith. You then have the opportunity to get involved in the party and also to become a candidate to defend these values. One can always be certain that a CHP candidate is completely pro-life. He can be none other than someone who gives his all to defend [life] and be a faithful advocate for the cause. »
CQV: "What are the other priorities of the CHP?"
"Among the pillars and policies of the CHP, there is the economy obviously, because we can't live on credit all the time, the family, and also the justice system. Here in LaSalle, we recently had the Minister of Justice, Lametti. Justice is something that is decisive in establishing the rights to freedom, the rights of expression, but also the non-interference in all parental rights. There is also the right to self-defense, and [policies] of immigration. We will establish these predispositions in all spheres of public administration. We will prevent the purchase of non-resident land, but also [other files of] internal security. In all spheres, we will apply the right policies that are based on the gospel. You can't go wrong with [biblical values]. »
CQV: "How can people help you with your campaign?"
"Obviously with prayer to begin with. (We will need help) to solicit the vote, to also solicit membership [in the CHP]. [We need people] who can spread the message that yes, there is a pro-life option in this election, and that it's important to go out and testify and vote out of conviction. If you vote for such [another candidate], yes, maybe certain [of these candidates] will sell good things, but they will not advance the fight against the 3 scourges, namely medical assistance in dying, abortion and transgender mutilation. You have to take a leap of faith, an act to break the ice in the end and vote out of conviction. So [we need] to go out and find people of good will, to encourage them to vote, to encourage them to get involved as volunteers or to become members and candidates as well.
Of course, I also need subscribers to come and support my candidacy — [since Elections Canada requires] one hundred people [from the riding of Lasalle-Emard-Verdun] to sign for my candidacy. We also need those who can contribute financially to my campaign for the printing of our materials. Our campaign donation page will not be active until after the election is called, but in the meantime, you can visit my website [at chp.ca/Alain-Paquette]. »
CQV: "You have talked a lot about abortion. What are your thoughts on euthanasia in Canada? "
A.P. "Completely closed. We have to admit that we made a mistake. We opened the valve. These were supposed to be cases of compassion exceptions. But we don't even have the staff for palliative care that is sufficiently developed — everywhere [access to palliative care] is deficient — so [euthanasia] should never be the case. It is a door that must be completely hermetically closed, therefore, the complete reversal of medical assistance in dying. A bit like Christ, he carried his cross, he went to the end, he even refused the gall that was given to him as crucified. If we open the door to despair, the world will surely say: "if it's decriminalized, if it's authorized by law, it becomes an acceptable practice." It is as if our conscience is subjugated to accept the door of despair. So, faith, hope and charity are theological values, and then this despair is a completely diabolical value. We still have to put in place care to ensure that the horrors that have happened recently do not happen again, or someone has been there for 10 hours without care, and then we offer them euthanasia [...] on the other hand, we fund suicide lines. You can't say that you're offered to sympathize with your problems, but one moment you're offered to commit suicide [for these same problems], it doesn't work. There must be a balanced justice. The babine must follow the boots. The tangent is to go further and further in medical assistance in dying when, on the contrary, we need to reverse it and we are in favour of medical assistance for living. Of course, here we are radically — diametrically opposed to what is decided everywhere. »
CQV: "Thank you very much for answering the call to become a candidate, and for committing yourself to defending life from conception to natural death. That's all the time we have for today. If someone wanted to contact you, or learn more about the CHP, how could they do so? »
A.P: "For more information about the Christian Heritage Party, visit chp.ca. If you want to contact me, you can do so by email — [email protected]. During the election campaign, come and go door-to-door with me (in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun). »
CQV: "Why did you decide to go into politics? »
A.P. "I responded to a call to defend pro-life values politically. I was already active in other engagements, such as writing to MPs and signing petitions. So far, I've remained comfortable as individuals, but when I was asked [about it], I said 'present.' And then I went on the tour and saw how I was getting involved. Since abortion was my main issue, I said that I have to go to the federal level to change the legislation and not to the municipal and provincial levels.
I went to see Arnold Viersen and we started talking more about politics, and his work was still exceptional in defending life in parliament. And I realized then that the member who was in my riding of Bourassa was promoting the right to abortion in Haiti where abortion is illegal. So, my own MP was working like that against the rights to life. I did my own research and the CHP was the most representative of the values I stood for, and I told myself that this is where I need to go. That's when I became a member and gradually I raised my hand to become a candidate. I was planning to run as a candidate in Bourassa, but the PHC was looking for a candidate for the by-election in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun and I answered the call.
This is in line with my desire to bring the good news and especially to allow people who have no other choice [such as voting pro-life]. Also, I want to go further in this, not just to make a [pro-life option on the ballot], but also to gather [people] to join the [CHP] movement. We are moving in the right direction to defend the most vulnerable against the three irreversible scourges, which are abortion, medical assistance in dying and transgender irreversible surgeries — these scourges that must be reversed. These are my 3 main workhorses. »
CQV: "For you, what does it mean to be pro-life?"
A.P. "Being pro-life means defending life from conception. Being a woman should be pro-life, she is the one who generates life. The church defends the dignity of women, even in Mary — she is the Queen of Heaven after all. The church gives Mary as the highest creature — there is only God who is superior, so we are going to magnify the one who replaced Eve since she gave us the Lord who was also born as a child — he satisfied us all, delivered us, healed us and he ascended to heaven with his body and soul. Therefore, if we follow Jesus [we must believe that] life was made to be taken up into heaven and not to be cast away. For me, to be pro-life is to follow life in Christ. »
CQV — "Why are Christian values necessary for good governance of the country? »
A.P. "Because we put the good news to good use. God's word [says] "Love your neighbor as yourself," and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." So, if we apply the maxim, we are really a salt in putting the moral basis of society back into a perspective of a peaceful and sanctifying life for all. So if we go in the direction of the word of God, then we are really in a perspective where we will favor the virtues rather than the errors of sin. [In society] we have lost a little of the sense of sin and the sense of immortal life. We act as if we are not accountable for our actions. As He says, "to whom much has been entrusted, more will be demanded." So, if we are going to apply things that are diabolical, to kill the life that has been entrusted to us, we are not the faithful stewards that we should be.
So, the treasure entrusted to us — at that point, if our personal freedom gives free rein to murder, it's completely reprehensible. Of course, God's mercy is high, except that we can't say that we wash our hands of it either. Helping [to have an abortion] is completely evil. By violating [our conscience] for our freedom, we put to death the vulnerable child who is there, who has been entrusted to us, our own flesh in the end. So we have to protect women from what they believe is a way to save their careers, their reputations, their friends or to prevent their social life from being disrupted. We have to save them all, the mother and the child too. We need their children, our families, because we can also solve the problem of immigration by saving all children. Through adoption, through material assistance, through the use of state resources for a parental support program, women are spared from mourning — since it is not a bundle of flesh that is left behind, it is a complete being who has feelings and a perception of what is happening. You have to see him as a being in his own right. So if you cut it, it's a mourning — you can say that you've become free, but on the contrary you really have the funeral of a heart...
You have to be healed — basically you have to pray for them, but above all you have to intervene to legislate so that the unborn children are full citizens from the legal point of view — not to penalize women, but on the contrary, it's to help them — and I'm sure they'll be indebted for that later when they see that the child has changed their lives for the better and is a grace and the same support.
We were not born in a place we chose, nor to parents we chose, nor in a time we chose, but why are we here? Because we had a mission to accomplish and we have to see that perspective. What the Christian Heritage Party is really going to do is to prevent these murders from being paid for by the public purse. We also want to save doctors and nurses from being hitmen — we want to free them and regenerate the confession of the best bases. One wonders why there is a shortage of family doctors when doctors are forced to perform abortions or euthanasia. We also need to save our children from transgender ideology — we need to put catechism back in school rather than casino shows. In the whole culture as well — violence must be removed and legislation must be passed on to replace this violence against children with a conducive environment. We want to promote a regenerated culture that is aligned with the beauty of creation and life. »
CQV: "Professionally, what do you do for a living? What have you done in the past? »
A.P. "I'm now retired. In the past, I have done several things — after graduation, I worked in general insurance. For more than five years, I worked for several companies, including here in LaSalle. […] I have worked in other fields. I worked for Bell, I even patrolled for Star Choice in Verdun — to sell satellite plans. I was a representative at Bell Canada, customer service, I also did a bit of trucking, and a delivery person. It was an experiment — I started a small business for music publishing — recordings. I lived my passion, and after that I changed jobs. I've been in the food business. »
CQV: "Does the CHP represent a specific Christian denomination?"
A.P. "All the denominations are present. All those who believe in Jesus Christ and have Christian values — Protestants, Orthodox, and Anglicans. Catholics are also part of the equation, so I'm in. Of course, I am more Marian than many others in the party, but it is a party where prayer is important for all members. The Rosary of the Unborn Child is something [around which] every Catholic should rally. Our Lady gave us the Rosary of the Unborn Child and then, as Jesus said in an apparition in 2006, we should use it as a nuclear weapon against legalized abortion.
When you enter [the PHC] as a member, you have to make a profession of faith. You then have the opportunity to get involved in the party and also to become a candidate to defend these values. One can always be certain that a CHP candidate is completely pro-life. He can be none other than someone who gives his all to defend [life] and be a faithful advocate for the cause. »
CQV: "What are the other priorities of the CHP?"
"Among the pillars and policies of the CHP, there is the economy obviously, because we can't live on credit all the time, the family, and also the justice system. Here in LaSalle, we recently had the Minister of Justice, Lametti. Justice is something that is decisive in establishing the rights to freedom, the rights of expression, but also the non-interference in all parental rights. There is also the right to self-defense, and [policies] of immigration. We will establish these predispositions in all spheres of public administration. We will prevent the purchase of non-resident land, but also [other files of] internal security. In all spheres, we will apply the right policies that are based on the gospel. You can't go wrong with [biblical values]. »
CQV: "How can people help you with your campaign?"
"Obviously with prayer to begin with. (We will need help) to solicit the vote, to also solicit membership [in the CHP]. [We need people] who can spread the message that yes, there is a pro-life option in this election, and that it's important to go out and testify and vote out of conviction. If you vote for such [another candidate], yes, maybe certain [of these candidates] will sell good things, but they will not advance the fight against the 3 scourges, namely medical assistance in dying, abortion and transgender mutilation. You have to take a leap of faith, an act to break the ice in the end and vote out of conviction. So [we need] to go out and find people of good will, to encourage them to vote, to encourage them to get involved as volunteers or to become members and candidates as well.
Of course, I also need subscribers to come and support my candidacy — [since Elections Canada requires] one hundred people [from the riding of Lasalle-Emard-Verdun] to sign for my candidacy. We also need those who can contribute financially to my campaign for the printing of our materials. Our campaign donation page will not be active until after the election is called, but in the meantime, you can visit my website [at chp.ca/Alain-Paquette]. »
CQV: "You have talked a lot about abortion. What are your thoughts on euthanasia in Canada? "
A.P. "Completely closed. We have to admit that we made a mistake. We opened the valve. These were supposed to be cases of compassion exceptions. But we don't even have the staff for palliative care that is sufficiently developed — everywhere [access to palliative care] is deficient — so [euthanasia] should never be the case. It is a door that must be completely hermetically closed, therefore, the complete reversal of medical assistance in dying. A bit like Christ, he carried his cross, he went to the end, he even refused the gall that was given to him as crucified. If we open the door to despair, the world will surely say: "if it's decriminalized, if it's authorized by law, it becomes an acceptable practice." It is as if our conscience is subjugated to accept the door of despair. So, faith, hope and charity are theological values, and then this despair is a completely diabolical value. We still have to put in place care to ensure that the horrors that have happened recently do not happen again, or someone has been there for 10 hours without care, and then we offer them euthanasia [...] on the other hand, we fund suicide lines. You can't say that you're offered to sympathize with your problems, but one moment you're offered to commit suicide [for these same problems], it doesn't work. There must be a balanced justice. The babine must follow the boots. The tangent is to go further and further in medical assistance in dying when, on the contrary, we need to reverse it and we are in favour of medical assistance for living. Of course, here we are radically — diametrically opposed to what is decided everywhere. »
CQV: "Thank you very much for answering the call to become a candidate, and for committing yourself to defending life from conception to natural death. That's all the time we have for today. If someone wanted to contact you, or learn more about the CHP, how could they do so? »
A.P: "For more information about the Christian Heritage Party, visit chp.ca. If you want to contact me, you can do so by email — [email protected]. During the election campaign, come and go door-to-door with me (in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun). »
