More people have signed up on a Facebook group to protest Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to prorogue Parliament than there are subscribers to, say, the National Post, i.e. 200,000 plus. Many have wondered if this and other online organizations of anger about prorogation amounts to much. Anti-prorogation rallies — some organized via that Facebook site — are planned for this weekend. No doubt journalists attending will be counting heads as a gauge of the intensity (is that the right word?) of these protests.
Now today, the very villain of the anti-prorogation forces visited Toronto. Prime Minister Stephen Harper held two events there today, the location and timing of which was not a secret. Toronto, of course, is not just any city. It is the country's largest with more than 5.5 million living in its metropolitan ambit. It is also the last major stronghold for the Liberal Party of Canada. Oh and here's something else: It's relatively nice day, with a high of -2C and some sun and clouds. Ok, it's a Wednesday and not a Saturday and these are not the “official” protests but still you've got some pretty sweet conditions for a vigorous demonstration of prorogation anger.
Well, the Canadian Press reporter at the Harper event counted “about 35” protestors “dogging” Harper:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is being greeted by chanting anti-prorogation demonstrators in Toronto.
About 35 protesters are picketing Mr. Harper's visit to the C.D. Howe Institute in Toronto.
The group says it's trying to draw attention to a number of rallies across Canada that are scheduled for Saturday.
Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament say hundreds of thousands of people have joined the movement to make MPs go back to work.
I stand to be corrected on this but if each Liberal and NDP MP whose riding touches on a Toronto subway line sent just two staffers or volunteers, you'd probably have “about 40” people there.
It's Jan 23 that matters. Let's see what happens then.
Unlike Parliament, WE WERE ALL AT WORK!
I think the turnout will probably be more than the doubters think. But I also think that it will turn into a mockery when the Enviro-Commi-Antisemite factions take over. I don't think anybody who's not far-left on the spectrum will show their faces at these rallies.
David, David, David. You're a more insightful journalist than that.
We had about 3 or 4 hours notice, in the middle of a working day, down by the waterfront not even on the subway line.
Despite that, you had about 60 or so people there with signs and handouts.
Not bad, I'd say.
Not many people were available to show up for the demonstration because they were busy at work. That proves Canada's Economic Action Plan is working, I'd say.
David
This is clearly media driven outrage at Harper, he proroged to take control of the Senate
so he could get his legislation through without Liberal obstruction, and to prepare for a new budget.
If the Liberals are so outraged then they can vote for Laytons bill, or bring down the government.
The media hate Harper and will do anything to bring him down, always trying to keep Iggy in tyhe game.
Watch those poll numbers change if the Liberals find the balls to defeat Harper
Seriously? Did you just right that? Or did you mean that with a large dose of sarcasm?
The media created the 15% drop in Harper's support? The media, which has smirked and poo-pooed the online organizing campaign of hundreds of thousands, has created the anti-prorogation campaign?
If it was just about the senate (the senate that passed almost all of the bills Harper let them vote on, by the way) then he just needed to prorogue for a day. He didn't need to shut down Parliament for 83 days last year to create the biggest budget in our history and this budget is apparently not going to see much change.
His own mentor and former chief of staff says the ever-changing excuses like these for Harper's anti-democratic moves are childish.
He shut down Parliament because he doesn't like being held accountable by the majority of our elected representatives. Canadians know it. And no spin will change it.
Yes, I just “righted” that.
Why, did I need your permission?
Anyway, I was merely confirming what you yourself “righted”:
“We had about 3 or 4 hours notice, in the middle of a working day, down by the waterfront not even on the subway line.”
See? No need for you to get all hot & bothered.
60? Canadian Press reported 35. In any event: Power/Intensity of anti-prorogue feeling definitely gets a full measurement Saturday. But, as I said, it seems to me that those in Toronto who were really chuffed about it, had (and missed) a golden opportunity to take it Harper himself yesterday.
C'mon Akin, what are you trying to do here? Last minute notice of a “work” day for people in Toronto.
The only failure we should be concerned with is our pathetic media/journos.
Harper gotcha scared?