TRURO - Listen to Canadians and get back to work.
That was the succinct message a small group of anti-prorogation demonstrators hoped to get across to Prime Minister Stephen Harper when he came to town yesterday.
But the prime minister didn't even get to see their banners and placards as he was whisked into a back entrance of the Holiday Inn enroute to delivering a $10 million cheque as the federal government's contribution to a new regional civic centre.
"It's time to go to work," said Stewiacke resident Ellen Durkee, one of about a dozen protesters who waved placards outside the Holiday Inn.
"I'm here to bring attention to the fact that Canadians do care about what Prime Minister Harper has done in proroguing Parliament. He seems to think that Canadians aren't paying attention and we are paying attention. We do care what goes on and we want him to realize that we are paying attention to what he's doing and we don't like it," she said.
"We want him to actually listen to what Canadians are saying and we want our elected officials to work."
Her sentiment was echoed by fellow protester, Wilf Bean of Tatamagouche, who wanted to send a message to Harper to "lead a Parliament that allows for a variety of voices.
"When you are criticized, don't shut down Parliament, listen to them, talk to them. Let's come together, let's work on the issues facing the country."
Bean accused the prime minister of proroguing Parliament for the purpose of "running away" from the issue surrounding the alleged treatment of prisoners in Afghanistan and climate change.
And Bean also expressed disappointment that Harper did not take the time to meet the public on his rare visit to the Hubtown.
"He's our prime minister. He came to Truro, the public's not even been invited. We're not allowed to be near him so I think we need somebody who serves the common good and who will come and do the work.
"There's many things that as a nation we should be involved in and I'm here saying get back to work."
Anti-prorogation protesters picket
- Published on January 22nd, 2010
- Published on Febuary 25th, 2010
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Harry Sullivan
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Comments
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- Brenda
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:40:11
A huge thanks to Ellen, Wilf, and everyone who made the effort to stand up for Canada.
Yes Oui CAN-ada -
- Rob
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:40:07
Maybe the protesters should have gone to 'their own' work instead as well instead of wasting their day. Their cries certainly fell on deaf ears with Harper.
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- Darrin
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:54
Yes Oui CAN-ada??? Are you serious with this one?! 'Cause if you are, I gotta tell ya - that is quite possibly one of the lamest things I've heard to date. And I've had to suffer through almost every episode of Full House. Who came up with that cheesy little zinger anyway? Maude Flanders?
For what it's worth, while you little go-getters are scampering around from place to place protesting everything from proroguing Parliament to the dark meat on turkey, the rest of us are at work. When we want to send a signal to the goverment to show our disapproval, we do it at the ballot box. -
- Sasha
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:44
I am heartened and glad that a group of people are willing to protest for the principle of an accountable and responsible government.
I look forward to meeting many like minded citizens tomorrow at the CAPP protest in Halifax. -
- Nick
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:29
The Prime Minister has TOLD us we don't care. There are 210,000 and more who will be out tomorrow to tell him we do. Congrats to Wilf, Ellen and the vocal people of Truro
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- Glamourgirl
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:28
These wingnuts need to get a life! I was very pleased with it all but did miss one special person...oh well.
