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Political activist Heather Stilwell of Surrey passed away from cancer December 3
at age 66.
A staunch Roman Catholic, she and her husband Bill were involved in the creation
of the Christian Heritage Party in 1984. She was interim leader of the party
1993-94 and ran in the 1993 federal election in the riding of Surrey—White Rock—South Langley.
She was active in a number of pro-life groups, including serving as president of
Alliance for Life. She was also a member of REAL Women of Canada.
Stilwell was also chair of the Surrey School Board which refused a kindergarten
teacher’s request to use three gay-friendly books in his classroom, a case that
eventually went to the Supreme Court of Canada.
In a tribute to Stilwell, Carolyn Budd-Goertzen recalled running against her in
the 1993 election and being struck by Stilwell’s concern for being morally correct rather than politically correct. When asked
at a public meeting if they would vote to make abortion illegal, Stilwell said
yes, but Budd-Goertzen said, “I could not have an abortion myself, but I . . . would not impose my views on
someone else.”
In her tribute, Budd-Goertzen said, “This view embarrasses me today, and I have a sense of horror when I think of it.
That is because of Heather and her words to me later, in private. She asked me
if I thought having an abortion was wrong, because it would be killing my baby.
I said yes. Then she asked me how, with that belief, I could think it was okay
for anyone to murder their baby . . . As I drove home that night I found myself
convicted.”
Ed Vanwoudenberg, founding Leader of the Christian Heritage Party, also issued a
tribute, saying Stilwell had “the ability to articulate issues with a clarity and common sense approach that
has won her the admiration of friends and foes.”
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No victory for refugee
First Baptist Church in Victoria is attempting to sponsor Victor Dillon, a
refugee from Liberia, to come to Canada. His brother Ralph is serving in the
Canadian Navy and tried for years to bring his mother Sarah and adopted brother
Victor to Canada. His mother eventually died due to lack of medical care and Victor was removed
from the application form because he is not directly related to Ralph. Victor
has now spent 20 years in a refugee camp in Ghana and fears he will be killed
if he is sent back to Liberia. Members of the church have unsuccessfully
lobbied a number of Canadian government leaders to intervene in the case.
For further information, see the website:
www.causes.com/causes/552197-help-victor-dillon-join-his-family-in-canada?recruiter_id=153783533
And the winner is life
Kamloops Pregnancy Care Centre is the winner of Joey’s Only restaurant’s Community Revival Project. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Joey’s set up the contest, calling for nominations from not for profit groups. Sixty-two organizations from across Canada competed for on-line votes.
“Traditionally, we’ve had contests that supported communities where our franchisees are, to the
tune of about one million dollars,” said Dave Holland, Joey’s marketing manager, adding that the project “provided a platform for groups to share their need for funds for their cause.”
Kamloops Pregnancy Care Centre provides education, support and resources to
women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Executive director Shirley Bosman believes the $25,000 prize money is an answer
to prayer. The donation will enable the agency to expand its programs and pay the lease on
a larger office space. - Sheila Lockwood
January 2011
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