Darrel Reid

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Darrel R. Reid (born June 3, 1957, in Grande Prairie, Alberta; PhD Queens 1994) Canadian policy advisor and political manager for the Conservative Party of Canada and a former political candidate for that party.

Reid, who did his PhD on the history of Victorian Society, served as Director of Policy and Research for the Reform Party of Canada. In May 1996 he became Preston Manning's chief of staff. ^[1] Soon afterwards he ran unsuccessfully as a Reform Party of Canada candidate for the riding of Lanark—Carleton in the 1997 federal election.

From 1998 to 2004 he was the president of the evangelical Christian organization Focus on the Family Canada. He promoted conservative Christian family values while actively campaigning against issues such as divorce, abortion and same-sex relationships. ^[2] He resigned from this position to campaign for the federal Richmond riding nomination, which he won. During this period he served as the Vice-President of Current Corporation of Port Moody, British Columbia, a position he later resigned to run in the subsequent federal election.

After his election loss, Reid took on the position of Vice President Project Development for the Work Research Foundation, an organization with the stated mission to “influence people to a Christian view of work and public life.” Bowing out of the Richmond Conservative Party riding association’s nomination battle in September 2006, he then announced he was taking over the chief of staff position for Environment Minister Rona Ambrose in Ottawa.

1 2006 Campaign to Become a Richmond M.P.
2 Opposition to Darrel Reid
3 Election Results
4 Robbie Robertson Controversy
5 References

[edit] 2006 Campaign to Become a Richmond M.P.

Darrel Reid became well known outside conservative Christian circles when he ran for M.P. (Member of Parliament) inside the riding for Richmond, British Columbia. He ran under the campaign slogan "What's Right For Richmond," ^[3] a title later used against him by his opponents. During his campaign, he focused heavily on increasing penalties for drug dealers and reckless drivers, and he wrote numerous articles in local newspapers about his views. He also advocated giving tax breaks to land developers to promote construction of affordable housing. ^[4]

His campaign strategy was to reach out to conservative Chinese and Sikh families in Richmond, who he believed shared his views. He did this by promising to support an apology and compensation to the Chinese community which once had to pay a discriminatory head tax (Canada). He also praised the entrepreneurial spirit of local Chinese families who have worked hard to create small businesses.

[edit] Opposition to Darrel Reid

Darrel Reid was heavily criticized by his opponents for being pro-life, even though he promised not to change Canada's abortion laws at the current time if he was elected. He also said he opposed same sex marriage, but that he did support "registered domestic partnerships" for same sex couples.^[5] His critics likened him to fundamentalist politicians in the United States. Reid's social views, while attracting support from both religious Canadians and some conservative ethnic minorities, caused great concern for those who support same-sex marriage, and even for some left leaning Christians.

Darrel Reid's statements sparked several registered third party campaigns, notably the "What's Wrong for Richmond" campaign by a former NDP candidate and avowed secular Humanist, Dale Jackaman (Canadian politician). Reid was attacked for his stated positions on embryonic stem cell research and treatment, gay marriage, abortion rights, and attempted to draw him out on the evolution versus intelligent design debate. These campaigns, and his refusal to publicly address these issues until late in the campaign, and then only in a limited manner, created a climate of suspicion and distrust that he could not overcome.

On January 17, 2005, he declined to be interviewed by Global TV's Vancouver station, sparking a series of media concerns about his lack of accessibility and prompting Liberal press releases accusing him of being "muzzled" by Conservative party leader (and 22nd Prime Minister of Canada) Stephen Harper.

[edit] Election Results

On January 23, 2006, Reid received 38.54 % of the total vote, and was thus defeated by Raymond Chan who received 42.85 % of the total vote. ^[6]. The NDP's Neil Smith received 14.07% of the total vote. Raymond Chan has gone on to serve his fourth term in the new Liberal-led official opposition.

ELECTION RESULTS:

Raymond Chan (Liberal Party of Canada) 18,107

Darrel Reid (Conservative Party of Canada) 16,286

Neil Smith (New Democratic Party) 5,944

Richard Mathias (Green Party of Canada) 1,916

[edit] Robbie Robertson Controversy

Following the defeat, Reid's then campaign manager Robbie Robertson blamed the loss on Jewish owned media outlets. He said "The CanWest Global media empire is controlled by a Jewish family (the Aspers) and they have been the most aggressive family to attack Christians, especially Conservative Christians." Darrel Reid condemned these comments, saying that Robbie Robertson no longer represents him or his party.