Institute for Canadian Values
The Institute for Canadian Values is a private Canadian think-tank promoting conservative social and economic policies. It was founded in March of 2005 by a $250,000 gift from a "retired trucking magnate" named Sidney Harkema.
Its executive director is Joseph Ben-Ami.
Founding
A December 2006 article in The Walrus described the Institute for Canadian Values as "a direct riposte to Bill C-38, which legalized same-[...] marriage. Charles McVety, president of Canada Christian College and founder of the institute, gave as his rationale the following: “On the left, there are hundreds of organizations,” he says, “and on the right there is a great void.”
Mission
Its mission states:
"The Institute for Canadian Values is a national think-tank dedicated to advancing knowledge of public policy issues from Judeo-Christian intellectual and moral perspectives as well as awareness of how such perspectives contribute to a modern, free, and democratic society.
We are a centre for news, research, and debate. Our mission is to serve Canadians who see value in greater consistency between Judeo-Christian perspectives and actual public policy or who seek a better understanding of how such perspectives can benefit policy and the public."
Canadian Values Conference
The Institute staged the Canadian Values Conference at Canada Christian College in Toronto, Nov. 29-Dec. 1. 2005. Conference participants included:
- Naresh Raghubeer (Canadian Coalition for Democracies)
- Tristan Emmanuel (Equipping Christians for the Public Square)
- Luc Gagnon (Campaign Quebec Vie)
- Gwen Landolt (REAL Women of Canada)
- Brian Rushfeldt (Canada Family Action Coalition)
- Phil Horgan (Catholic Civil Rights League)
- Charles McVety (Canada Christian College)
- Senator Anne Cools
- Ralph E. Reed, Jr.