Xtra.ca: Prominent Christian conservative takes over Tory research

[tuvor]

Nick Taylor-Vaisey / Xtra.ca / Friday, July 18, 2008

A recent shake-up in the Prime Minister's Office has vaulted one of Canada's most prominent Christian conservatives into a role as a senior adviser. The consistently controversial Darrel Reid has taken over as Prime Minister Stephen Harper's director of research.

Reid has worked in public life on-and-off since the mid-1990s and has delved into rightwing advocacy. He first served as director of policy and research to the Reform Party in Ottawa and then as chief of staff to Reform leader Preston Manning.

In the middle of his term as chief of staff, Reid entered politics as a candidate for the first time. He won the Reform nomination in the Ottawa-area riding of Lanark-Carleton and went on to finish second to incumbent Liberal MP Ian Murray — losing by 12,000 votes.

Reid was lured away from the Hill by Focus on the Family Canada, where he served as president for six years (1998-2004). During that time, he actively campaigned against same-sex marriage. He was hired into that role because he was concerned about "developing a uniquely Canadian approach" that differed from Focus Canada's parent organization in the United States.

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http://www.xtra.ca/public/viewstory.aspx?AFF_TYPE=1&STORY_ID=5158&PUB_TEMPLATE_ID=1