Several provincial and federal conservative politicians, including Alberta’s minister of justice, made unannounced appearances at “Canada’s largest pro-life banquet” this weekend, an event organized to raise money for a group working to push anti-abortion legislation in the province.
The Wilberforce Project, which describes itself as “Alberta’s provincial pro-life organization,” held its annual “Gala for Life” fundraising dinner Friday night at the Edmonton Inn and Conference Centre.
“This year’s theme is ‘Born Tomorrow’ and will discuss the sobering reality that there are absolutely no restrictions on abortion in Canada,” the event’s website says.
The group, whose mission is to “elect leaders committed to passing incremental pro-life legislation,” indicates that money raised at the event will “go directly to the work and projects of the Wilberforce Project.”
This year’s event was attended by a number of politicians from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party, including Alberta’s justice minister Mickey Amery and Alberta’s hospitals minister Adriana LaGrange.
LaGrange has a documented history of anti-abortion activism, previously serving as president of an anti-abortion group called “Red Deer Pro-Life,” a regional affiliate of “Alberta Pro-Life” — that group rebranded and renamed itself “The Wilberforce Project” in 2012.
Amery does not appear to have taken a public position on abortion previously. However, he has sponsored legislation backed by social conservatives. In 2025, Amery introduced Alberta’s controversial Bill 9, legislation that sought to impose restrictions on trans rights by invoking the notwithstanding clause.
Spokespersons for either minister did not respond to questions from The Watchdog about their attendance at the event or personal views on abortion. Amery’s office also did not address specific questions about whether it is appropriate for a justice minister to attend fundraisers organized by groups advocating changes to the province’s abortion laws.
Amery and LaGrange both attended the Wilberforce Project event without being publicly announced as participants. Neither has since mentioned the event on their public social media channels.
Photos from the event posted by the Wilberforce Project appear to show the justice minister seated at a banquet table during the fundraiser’s programming.
According to a copy of the evening’s program, this year’s event featured a lineup of speakers that included conservative politicians and anti-abortion activists:
- Arnold Viersen, a federal Conservative MP from Alberta’s Peace River—Westlock riding, who previously circulated a petition urging leadership candidates to consider supporting “legal restrictions” on abortion.
- Jennifer Johnson, a UCP MLA from Lacombe-Ponoka who came under fire over comments comparing trans students to feces in a batch of cookies.
- Dr. Rebecca Genuis, a doctor who helps patients “maximize their fertility” and also the spouse of federal Conservative MP Garnett Genuis of Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan.
- Alissa Golob, founder of the anti-abortion group Right Now.
- Jonathon Van Maren, communications director of the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, a group that works closely with anti-abortion groups in the United States.
- Josh Senneker, an Alberta-based anti-abortion activist and podcaster, as well as director of public policy for the Alberta Reformer, a political advocacy group that says it works to “call drifting schools, governments and cultural institutions back toward their God-given design.”
Other political figures spotted at the anti-abortion fundraiser include:
- Dan Williams, Alberta’s minister of municipal affairs
- Andrew Boitchenko, Alberta’s minister of tourism and sport
- Collins Ugochukwu, a policy advisor to Adriana LaGrange who is seeking a UCP nomination in Edmonton South.
- Chidi Iwuchukwu, who is seeking a UCP nomination in Edmonton-Southwest.
- Garnett Genuis, the spouse of Dr. Rebecca Genuis and a federal Conservative MP.
- Jason Kenney, Alberta’s former premier.
An agenda for the anti-abortion group’s fundraiser shows it also featured an “exclusive VIP cocktail reception” that was described as “invitation only.”
In addition to the fundraising gala, the Wilberforce Project also organized a training session with the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform called “Apologetics 101.”
According to a description of that workshop, attendees would learn about “the biological and philosophical case against abortion” as well as communication tips on how to win debates and engage people who support abortion.
The Wilberforce Project says another part of its mandate is to provide campaign support to politicians and candidates who share their “convictions about the value of human life.”
“We seek out pro-life MLAs, MPs and any other individuals in government who we can connect to the pro-lifers who are ready and willing to volunteer and vote,” the group says on its website. “This allows pro-life candidates to already have a solid voting bloc the moment they step into the nomination and campaigning role in their ward, riding or area.”
Earlier this year, The Tyee reported UCP MLAs Jason Stephen, Glenn van Dijken, Chantelle de Jonge, Jennifer Johnson, Grant Hunter and Dan Williams attended the 2025 “Gala for Life.”
