London's Media Reports on Protest Against Proroguing Parliament

Excerpt from the London Free Press article by Norman DeBono:

"I am an ordinary Canadian, but I am just fed up with Mr. Harper," said Morgan, who admits in the past he has voted for the Reform party.

"He wants to act as a dictator and not listen to Parliament, he disrespects Parliament completely."

Nearby, Beverly Polci, a retired librarian, is also a newcomer to political rallies — and has also voted Conservative in the past. but the shutting down of government was an act that drove her to the downtown rally.

"I do not belong to any party or group, but I just felt I had to take the time and come out to this," she said. "There was no good reason to prorogue. I think it is terrible."

More than 500 protesters were at the rally, and others like it were held in cities across Canada. The House of Commons was supposed to sit Monday, but will not after Harper delayed going back to work until March 3, saying he wanted to focus on the Canadian economy.

At the Victoria park rally, politicians and labour leaders blasted Harper, saying the delay is a waste of time and money and has killed efforts on more than 30 bills.

For the full Free Press coverage visit: http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2010/01/23/12587921.html

Excerpt from LondonTopic.ca article by Ross McDermott:

Approximately 37 Bills died on the House of Commons table when Harper decided to prorogue Parliament Dec. 30, and Mathyssen noted those bills translate into months and months of work and hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in taxpayer's money. Many of those bills dealt with vital and key issues that needed to be addressed.

Tim Carrie, CAW Local 27 President, suggested legislating Harper back to work. "Oh wait a minute – we don't have Parliament. We can't do that!"

He said he had never heard of proroguing until Harper first used it in 2008 to avoid a non-confidence vote and a coalition government.

"'When a government starts trying to cancel dissent, or avoid dissent, is frankly when it's rapidly losing its moral authourity to govern.' Who said that? Stephen Harper, Canadian Press, April 18, 05." Carrie noted, adding, "I think Steve, maybe you should follow your own advice – stop governing."

He noted job loss, pensions, and again, the issues of Afghanistan detainees as pressing issues the government should be dealing with as opposed to taking two months off.

"They're running away from it, but they can't hide. Eventually they will be back and they will pay a price for this. And I guarantee that price will be paid at the polls," Carrie said.

For the full LondonTopic.ca coverage visit: http://www.londontopic.ca/article.php?artid=17925