What can recent history tell us about the methods and strategies for gaining publicity, used by some Christian right organizations? The following is an informative case story which took place last summer.

In August 2008, 42 organizations led by the Canada Family Action Coalition complained to the Canadian Judicial Council, seeking Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin’s expulsion from the committee that recommended the Order of Canada be awarded to groundbreaking doctor Henry Morgentaler.

The “organizations” brought together under CFAC’s banner were, as the Canadian judicial affairs blog The Court noted, an odd bunch. Three were companies (Can American Stone Spreader, Can Am Fabricating and Welding, and A.J. Slinger Service), not public advocacy groups. Another “organization” was New Brunswick professor David Murrell. The Court went on to suggest that the coalition was deliberately inflating its list through repetitious endorsements (for example, listing four Charles McVety-linked groups in addition to the Coalition itself).

Others bloggers were already on the story. Under the prying eyes of Bouquets of Gray and many others, the 42 dwindled rapidly. Active Christians Engaging Society was dismissed as a group of just four rabble-rousers in Sudbury. The three companies identified by the Court were ousted, as was a website masquerading as an organization. Many others were eliminated as double-counts – Real Women BC, for example, was a chapter of Real Women Canada, yet both appeared on the petition. Within days, half the list had been discredited.

In September, Birth Pangs reported that the Canadian Judicial Council had dismissed the Coalition’s complaint. McVety pronounced himself “not surprised” by the verdict.

Reading List:

Benediction Blogs On. “Chief Justice McLachlin and the Canada Family Action Coalition,” August 20, 2008.

Bouquets of Gray, “When The Aints Come Marching In,” August 22, 2008.

Canadian Cynic, “Liars for Jeeziz,” August 21, 2008.

The Court, “The Complaints Against Chief Justice McLachlin are Less than Impressive,” August 19, 2008.