RightNow co-founder says group aims to elect 'enough pro-lifers' to pass 'much-needed legislation'

Until this week, many people in Saskatchewan had never heard of RightNow.

That all changedwhen the anti-abortion organization ranked the six contenders for leadership ofthe Saskatchewan Party one of whom will be the province's next premier based on their stance on abortion.

"I created this organization with my co-founder to focus onnominating and electing pro-lifecandidates across the country,"RightNow's Toronto-basedexecutive director and co-founderAlissaGolobsaid in an interview with CBC News Thursday.

While many have never heard of the groupbecause it formed less than two years ago, Golob said, it claims tohave influenced the last Conservative Party of Canada Leadership race, saying it helped sell thousands of party memberships.

"I do think they were a major force in the Conservative federal race in the spring,"said Regina political scientist JimFarney. "[Conservative candidate Brad]Trost got about double the vote that I expected him to."

Farney attributes that to the group's actions.However, he said it's unlikely RightNowcurrently has the power to influence something bigger than a leadership race.

"They can mobilize enough to be influential in leadership things or in nomination races. They're not a big enough group to make a difference in your average general election."

How does RightNow operate?

RightNow is funded by supporters and describes itself as a not-for-profit organization. It isnot a registered charity.

It makes recommendations to supporters on who to vote for by ranking candidates in order of preference, and also helps people buy partymemberships.

Golobsaid the group has supporters across the country.

"We have campaign teams and door knockers that go out daily and between election cycles to identify pro-life voters," she said.

"We have an obligation to our supporters in each province to let them know who the best, most supportable and ethical candidates are in their ridings, and to get them involved in electing them."

The group chooses its preferred candidates by first attempting to interview each candidate in theleadership race and asking questions about their stance on abortion and assisted death.

RightNowthen ranks them based on theiranswers, voting records, policies,supportin caucus and how likely it is they will win.

Cheveldayoff top Sask. Party choice: RightNow

This week, the group ranked the Sask. Party leadership contenders, namingKen Cheveldayoffas its top pick.

Cheveldayoff was among the fourleadership candidates who agreed to an interview with RightNow. Along with candidatesRob Clarke and Scott Moe, heexpressed anti-abortion views. None of those candidates, though, said they would introduce legislation around the issue if elected leader.

CandidateGordonWyanttold RightNow he ispro-choice. Candidates Tina Beaudry-Mellorand Alanna Koch did not reply to RightNow, but bothwomen took to social media to say abortion was not a matter to be put up for political discussion.

Golobsaid it was "perfectly acceptable" forCheveldayoffto tell reporters he would not personally bring forwardanti-abortion legislation.

"We don't expect a singular politician or leader to shove through legislation that the majority of caucus doesn't support."

That's why RightNow is mobilizing to try and get as many anti-abortion politicians into office as possible, she said "sothat we do have enough pro-lifers within different governments to actually start passing much-needed legislation."

'Odd' to see group target province

Farney said abortion has historically been a federal issue because it was previously banned under the Criminal Code. When that ban was lifted decades ago, he says, it became a health issue. That means the discussion is likely to focus on abortion fundingand how accessible it is.

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Thecurrentfederal government has been clear on itsstance "that any province that decided to stop funding abortion or stop providing abortions through public hospitals would see a significant cut to its health-care grants," he said.

That's why he thinks it's unusual for a group like RightNow to focus on a provincial leadership race.

"It's a bit of an odd thing for a single-issue group to go after a jurisdiction that can't really do a lot for it."

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Golobsaidprovinces are "unique and separate institutions"and "have total control over the health file of the province."

Furthermore, she said politicians can still try to make changes such as setting the age at whichparental consent for an abortion is required.

Anti-abortion groups trying to remain relevant

Abortion is not a vote-defining issue in Canada as it is in the United States, saidMcGillUniversity assistant professor Kelly Gordon, whohasstudied the strategies used byanti-abortion movements in Canada.

She saidanti-abortion activists have realized politicalinvolvementgarners public attention and raisestheprofile of the issue.

"For a lot of Canadians, they think thisissue is sort of dead and done, and the [anti-abortion] movement is there to sort of remind them that it's not."

Anti-abortion advocates have changed their tactics to engage more people,she said.

"They're trying to present themselves and market the movement as being a much more pro-woman movement than it used to be," she said.

The groups do this by putting women at the forefrontandpresenting arguments about regret, psychological harm and sex-selection, rather than fetal rights, Gordon said.

RightNow co-founderGolobpreviously worked with the Campaign Life Coalition one of the biggest anti-abortion movements in the country, said Gordon.

The group is considered the political arm of the anti-abortion movement, Gordon said, adding RightNow seems like an offshoot of that.