James Keegstra, the Alberta high school teacher appealing his conviction of promoting hatred against Jews, has been named interim leader of Canada’s Social Credit Party.
The party has included throughout its history a publicly anti-Semitic faction, with elements in opposition. Keegstra was elected by a majority of one vote Saturday at the party’s executive meeting in New Westminster, B.C.
The Social Credit Party, formerly a power in Western Canada, now has no members in any provincial legislature or the federal parliament. Party national president Ben Bissett announced that Keegstra replaces the Rev. Harvey Lainson, who wanted to changed the party’s name to Christian Freedom.
Keegstra was convicted in 1985 of anti-Semitic teachings. He also claims the Holocaust was a hoax.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
