A gathering is being planned outside of Larry Miller's constituency office for 1pm on Saturday January 23, 2010.
The cause? Discontent over a second prorogation of Parliament by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Originally scheduled to begin on January 25th, Parliament will now not sit until March 3. The move brings government committees to a standstill, particularly preventing investigation into the embarrassing matter of Afghan detainees, and also delays any bills currently before the house.
"Stephen Harper is abusing his power in a duck and cover operation - he doesn't want to answer tough questions, so he is simply shutting down the show and using the Olympics as an excuse. This is an insult to voters." said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May in a media release earlier this month.
Led by the Bruce Grey Owen Sound Greens, the invitation to attend the planned rally is open to all citizens from any political party.
“On the 23rd, at anti-proroguing rallies all across Canada, citizens will stand up against this abuse of democracy and demand that politicians get back to work. Here in Bruce Grey we expect support for this rally will come from all across the political spectrum. ” invites Randy Drybergh, of the BGOS Greens.
The group is making the subject accessible to all local residents, providing background on the topic including a good analysis of the issue written by a professor of Constitutional Law. By opening public discussion of the matter, all citizens can feel included at whatever level they may choose, whether it be to learn more about the topic or to clearly portray their feelings in a message that is sure to have impact.
“Some Canadians may not pay much attention to archaic constitutional terms such as prorogation of Parliament or even to the fate of Afghan detainees transferred to torture. Other Canadians will care greatly about both these issues. But all Canadians must care about a minority government that undermines the fundamental democratic institutions of this country while also manipulating quasi-judicial tribunals and intimidating the public service from speaking truth to power. This abuse of executive power is tilting toward totalitarian government and away from the foundations of democracy and the rule of law on which this country was founded,” writes Errol P. Mendes, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Ottawa.
The rally will be held at 1pm this Saturday at Miller's office, located at 1131 2nd Avenue East in Owen Sound.
