Well-known Canadian pro-life activist Father Alphonse de Valk is being investigated for possible "hate crimes" by the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

His offense? He cited teachings about marriage contained in the Bible, the Catholic Church's Catechism, and statements made by Pope John Paul II.

While top officials in the United States continue their stealth campaign to merge Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. in a North American Union (NAU), recent events in Canada demonstrate one more significant reason why the plan must be opposed. Part of what is being proposed sub-rosa for the NAU is "harmonization" of the laws of the three countries. But Canada has so-called "hate crimes" legislation that targets many traditionally acceptable attitudes, and has created a Human Rights Commission to enforce its provisions. Harmonization with this type law would mean adopting its various forms of censorship.

In Canada, Catholic Father Alphonse de Valk has become well-known across the nation for his strong pro-life stand. Equally determined to oppose "same-sex" marriage, he has supported his view with quotations from the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and statements issued by the late Pope John Paul II. But any Canadian who expresses a belief that marriage can be a union only between a man and a woman can find himself or herself in trouble.

Authorities at Canada's Human Rights Commission have been working on the de Valk case for the past six months. Catholic journalist Pete Vere has noted that frivolous or unjustified complaints received by the Commission can be dismissed immediately. Yet, the charge aimed at the priest, that his pronouncements and commentary in his Catholic Insight magazine promote "extreme hatred and contempt" for homosexuals, is obviously deemed neither frivolous nor unjustified.

As reported by WorldNetDaily, maintaining traditional Christian beliefs in Canada has already resulted in fines for various individuals and groups. Some examples:

• A Knights of Columbus council was fined when its leaders refused to rent their hall for a lesbian “wedding” celebration.

• The owner of a print shop was forced to pay a fine for refusing to print stationery containing pro-homosexual content.

• London, Ontario, Mayor Diane Haskett was fined $10,000 for refusing to proclaim a gay pride day.

The United States has already seen similar attacks on religious beliefs via laws in some states. Meanwhile, "hate crimes" legislation is being considered at the federal level. In other words, harmonization with Canada's censorship of religious views might be just around the corner. There is also the case of American author Mark Steyn who, along with Canadian-based Maclean’s magazine, is facing charges for something he wrote and the magazine published. The long-arm of the Canadian Human Rights Commission already reaches across the border.

As summarized by Pete Vere, "any faith community in Canada that does not embrace this modern redefinition of one of the world's oldest institutions" could be guilty of promoting "hate" in Canada. It also appears that anything an American writes or states can result in prosecution if it, and not necessarily the writer, shows up in Canada and is deemed hateful.

As noted, these attacks on traditional values are running parallel with the campaign to merge the three nations. Traditional values have to be defended, but so does national sovereignty. The drive to demonize morality must be combated. And so must there be success in killing the drive to create a North American Union.