Canadians are trying to stand up against the Canadian Prime Minister’s decision to prorogue (suspend) parliament until after the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Close to 45,000 Canadians have joined a group protesting the prorogue, with close to 20,000 joining in the past 8 hours. Interestingly enough, there are more people who are against the prorogue than there are fans of Stephen Harper, Canada’s Prime Minister.
I have to be honest. I didn’t know what the word “prorogue” meant before reading about it, but it highlights how Facebook continues to be used as a platform for political expression, something I highlighted in our annual year in Facebook recap. The group encourages Canadian citizens to reach out to their representatives (“Members of Parliament”) to encourage them to report to work, as its what they are getting paid for.
While I know absolutely nothing about the political landscape in Canada, the group’s administrator, Christopher White, is definitely going about this in the right way. Will the group be effective at getting the Members of Parliament to return to work? I would hope so if I were a citizen, but from the domestic articles I’ve read on the issue, it doesn’t seem very likely. If the U.S. Congress decided to take off a couple months to host the Olympics, I can guarantee you citizens would be furious.
It will be interesting to see if this group amounts to something more substantial. In a country with a population of 33 million citizens, attracting 1 million people would be a phenomenal accomplishment. In terms of percentage of the population, it would be the equivalent of a U.S. protest group gaining 10 million supporters.
Taking time off to host the Olympics???? Where'd that come from??? That's not it!! He's just using that as an excuse to justify what he's done!
He took a PAID VACATION to avoid issues & bills that were to be debated and/or passed!!! He even is planning on "stacking" the Senate with his cronies and the residents of Canada (the people he's SUPPOSED to work for) don't even have a say in that either!! AND this was the SECOND time in 400 days that he prorogued (suspended) the government just at his whim! The first time was to avoid a vote of non-confidence by the opposition parties, that would have brought down his government if it had been allowed to go through!
Comment by Facebook User — January 5, 2010 @ 4:28 pm
What kind of message dose prorogueing Parliament send to our youth.Dose it say that if you have a problem just run away from it and it will go away.Harper has to go ,we are not in a third world country where the leader is a Dictator
Comment by Brian Boudreau — January 6, 2010 @ 5:18 am
so if the government is taking time off till march 3 then should we as canadians show the government that we need time off, and not pay our taxes till they return to work?
Comment by brenda — January 6, 2010 @ 12:28 pm
The Prime Minister's proroguing of Parliament speaks to a cynical, deceitful, and evasive arrogance which has been foremost since January '06. Voters are now sufficiently angry to deal the PM and his party a mortal blow at the polls, at first opportunity. He will wear the results of his arrogance for a long long time.
Comment by John J Dennison — January 6, 2010 @ 11:20 pm
The CBC and other media are as out of touch with what is happening in Canada as Harper is. They are all engaged in a Quid pro quo system that Canadians are fed up with. Many people do not use Facebook, and are still hearing the truth – because this situation is making people talk. From Tim Hortons to water coolers from coast, to coast, to coast – people are organizing an alternative. The number of members on this page tells less about Harper, and more about Canadians.
So far, 92% if Canadians oppose the PM. [see: http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourview/2010/01/prorogued-parliament-should-it-have-happened.html#socialcomments ]
I can’t remember ever seeing our country so universally-united — ever. So thanks stev-O! See you on twitter – twit.
Comment by J Bowman — January 7, 2010 @ 12:06 am
Sudbury, Ontario
There are over 3000 Steelworkers that have been on strike now for 6 months against a global mining Giant, VALE INCO, A company that was allowed by the Harper government to Purchase a trillion dollar asset. Tony Clement, Minister of industry canada made a back door private deal with the condition that t…he purchase was to be of Net Benefit to Canada. This company, after Netting $4.2 Billion out of Canada is now demanding unwarranted concessions from it's workers to fit their "Global Model" In other words, They want all their employees world wide to work wt the same level of prosperity and rather than bring employees up to our standards, They want to bring Canadian workers dow to 3rd world levels. We've been out of work for 6 months and Harper is going on paid vacation while we're stuck in his mess!
Comment by Al Sauve — January 8, 2010 @ 9:02 am
We're hoping to be effective, but its going to take a lot more then just joining a facebook group. I stress that all the time. This hasn't really happened on such a large scale in Canada before, and a lot of the press is focused on the legitimacy of Facebook as a tool for political organization rather then the legitimacy of what we're rallying behind.
Comment by Christopher White — January 8, 2010 @ 9:17 am
Sudbury, ON
They go on vacation while our city suffers?
I am so sick of the so called government. And our arrogant dear leader.
Pathetic. And sad.
Comment by dagny — January 8, 2010 @ 9:24 am
"Going Prorogue" A Canadian Prime Minister
$75.00
Available nowhere in Ottawa
We'll wait an see what the U.S.A does…
Canadians don't care
Oh look! Can see the ScotiaBank Place from the Peace Tower
Who needs government? Opposition? what opposition?
We will be consulting Canadians, all 33 million during prorogation.
reducing Canadian PM's hairspray use by 50% will reduce the Canadian green house gas footprint by 30%
Comment by Stewart Valin — January 8, 2010 @ 9:25 am
I know as Canadians we can stand for something that is greater than ourselves. I support Local 6500. Harper will always be know as the Prime Minister who sold out his country.
Comment by massey — January 8, 2010 @ 10:01 am
out on holiday good they shoud stay out better for us
Comment by willis cole — January 8, 2010 @ 10:41 am
I am disgusted and dissapointed. It is also a very frientening step forour Prime Minister to take – didn't hitler do something similar in the 1930's?
Comment by B. Dubber — January 8, 2010 @ 11:49 am
Another Sudbury resident here that,s been ON STRIKE with Vale INCO since our fine government has sold our natural resourses to some third world country . When is this madness going to stop? Next our hydro and then what? Of course our water,lets sell the great lakes for a few million and pump them dry,I,m sure us dumb cannuks will never notice.Get back to work ya bum,s and start fixing the damage you and Clement have already accomplished .
Comment by J Thompson — January 8, 2010 @ 4:43 pm
Harper and Clement have Canada up for sale to the highesT bidder,,DISGUSTING .I SAY FIRED THE WHOLE LOT OF YOU AND START OVER . Maybe we can find a government leader that will care and stand up for canadians .Harper and Clement you certianlly havent .
Comment by J Thompson — January 8, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
I think it is disgusting when a democratically elected government can willingly usurp the democratic process to avoid criticism. You WROTE THE TUNE mR. hARPER. nOW FACE THE MUSIC.
Comment by sheila griffiths-ber — January 11, 2010 @ 12:16 pm
This is quite strange news that the gove tried to suspend one of the largest sport event in Canada. There may be some reasons but I would love to see the game. Keep up good work Canadians.
Comment by olympic weight — February 14, 2010 @ 4:30 am