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No Prorogation Rally In Ottawa

Let me put it this way: Canadians are usually pretty quiet and it takes a lot to have them go down in the streets. But Stephen Harper made it, he managed to anger Canadians enough and have them demonstrate in the middle of the winter. Way to go, Stevie!

On December 30, 2009, Stephen Harper, the Conservative Prime Minister, decided to shut down the Parliament until the end of the Olympic Games, early March. The explanations and excuses for the prorogation are pretty vague—the Olympic Games, the economic plan, etc. The problem is, this isn’t the first time the Prime Minister shuts down the Parliament and Canadians seem to be sick of it. Indeed, without Parliament, nothing gets done. Moreover, Stephen Harper has already prorogued the Parliament last year. This is apparently a move to get out of political trouble, more than anything else.

The opposition parties obviously didn’t agree with Harper’s move. And this time, neither did the people. Grassroots movements started on the web and “no prorogation rallies” were organized throughout Canada last Saturday, on January 23rd.

This is honestly the biggest demonstration I have seen in Canada since I’m here. I was shocked to see how many people showed up on Parliament Hill. I guess it’s no secret that I don’t support Harper’s politics and the fact the Parliament can be shut down that easily worries me: hello, democracy, anyone? I went down in the streets as well—my first demonstration in a long, long time.

Opposition political leader addressed the crowd and so did various speakers. The really was non-partisan and the atmosphere was quite peaceful. I also learned a fun cultural fact: Canadians make the best signs, ever!

Rally And The East Block
Rally And The East Block
Anti Rogue
The Crowd
My Message To Harper
Dude, Where Is My Parliament?
It’s Not The Economy, Stupid!
Take Democracy Seriously
Canadians Do Care
Holiday Or Hiding?
Take Me To Diner Before You Fuck Me, Stephen
Nice Smile, Arrogant Conduct
You Decide
Harper Puppet
The Crowd
Jake Layon, Leader of the NDP, Adressing the Crowd
Michael Ignatieff, Answering the Media’s Questions
Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Liberal Party, Adressing the Crowd
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Zhu

French woman in English Canada.

Exploring the world with my camera since 1999, translating sentences for a living, writing stories that may or may not get attention.

Firm believer that nobody is normal... and it’s better this way.

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