by Catherine Brooke      |         January 24, 2010

A rally at Victoria's Centennial Square from 1 to 3 pm on Saturday, January 23 attracted over 1,000 people to the downtown open area alongside Victoria City Hall. Attended by MPs Denise Savoie and Dr. Keith Martin, the event was in protest of Parliament being closed for three months. Gary Lunn, MP, was not in attendance.

"Government needs a new direction: one that puts you [the voter] first," said Martin. Another speaker asked from the podium, "Are Canadians ready to be a force of good in the world again?" A big yes followed from the crowd.

Protest statements were presented on signs and T-shirts, including:

Parliament means freedom!    |  Democracy vs. Harper!  |  Prorogue Harper  |  Harper not up to the job.  |  Senate fluff =/= senate reform.  |  I wish I could prorogue my job.  |  Hypocrisy Democracy.

"Canadians have an interest in seeing this narrow brand of politics (proroguing) fail. We must build a coalition for those willing to change democracy (as in make in better)," said Martin.

"Harper has rushed the passing of the HST," said Savoie. She encourages Canadians to vote to demand a majority vote in parliament about proroguing before it happens. "Canadians do understand and they do care," she said as her closing remark. 

By the time of the rally (the last of 61 across Canada), apparently 211,000 people had joined the Facebook group Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament. The rally in Ottawa was attended by about 3,000 people.  MM