| Written by Sara Loftson, The Catholic Register,
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The Oct. 10 Ontario provincial election is a family affair for 14 Family Coalition Party candidates.
The Carvalho and Kidd families are running seven family members each in this fall’s Ontario election.
“Instead of spoiling a ballot or letting others spoil their ballot, we thought we’d give people a chance to vote their conscience,” said Victor Carvalho, 62, a candidate in the York-Simcoe riding.
Carvalho’s wife, Marilyn, 55, is also running along with their four sons, Andrew, 30, Joseph, 26, Daniel, 24, Nicholas, 22, and daughter Julia, 19.
“If the people are looking for a party such as the FCP and they vote for the FCP then my chances (of being elected) will be high,” said Marilyn Carvalho.
She said if elected she would “basically follow the principles of the FCP.”
Joseph, who just got back from missionary work in Africa, is now in Florida, and Julia has started first-year studies away from her York-West riding at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy in Barry’s Bay, Ont. And if elected, Nicholas Carvalho, a candidate for Toronto Centre, said on his web site profile he will have a short political career as he is now studying to become a priest at St. Augustine’s Seminary.
“Technically, I’m the only one contesting and debating,” said patriarch Victor, who owns Stella Maris Marina, a Catholic retreat centre north of Newmarket.
He said his family would gladly give up their seats, but they see a need to run for the party.
“We are not doing this to get a job with the government; we are doing this because no one else seems to be wanting to get voted in.”
While Victor has run for The Family Coalition Party in three previous elections, the other Carvalhos have no political experience. The family is not actively campaigning and is operating with virtually no budget.
Ryan Kidd, 29, who is running in his second election, encouraged his parents Michael and Marilee and brothers Nathan, 27, Joel, 25, Daniel, 21, and sister-in-law Lisa to run for their first time as well.
“Sometimes you think it’s pretty difficult to do, but with a little bit of encouragement anyone can... serve the country by representing policies that reflect justice and compassion,” said Kidd, who is running in the Don Valley East riding in Toronto.
In the past the Kidds have been active for the Christian Heritage Party in their local riding, organizing meetings and helping with campaigns.
“As a family we’re concerned about social issues in our country and so it’s only natural that the rest of them are interested in serving in this way,” said Kidd, a software engineer.
Kidd said while his family agrees on the core party platform their approaches are unique.
“It’s not like we are under someone’s thumb, we are independent thinkers and we all debate with one another,” he said.
For the Carvalhos and Kidds, the foremost issue is stopping the the public funding of abortion.
“I can’t believe our government could kill children, and yet hold me responsible for disciplining my children. It’s such a warped scenario,” said Victor Carvalho, who walked from Niagara Falls to Ottawa in 2005 to protest the government’s stance on family and pro-life issues.
“I’m not just talking, I’ve walked the walk.”
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