Canadians demonstrate feelings on Ottawa crisis at gatherings across the country

By The Canadian Press

OTTAWA — Canadians gathered in streets and squares in several cities Thursday to make their opinions known on the political standoff that has paralyzed Parliament.

More than 2,000 rallied on the snow-covered lawn of Parliament Hill to support a coalition of opposition parties seeking to replace the government of Stephen Harper.

The crowd wasn’t deterred by ice pellets whirling from the monochrome Ottawa sky or by word that Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean allowed Harper to suspend Parliament until late next month.

They huddled together, bundled in parkas, toques and scarves, waving signs that said “Coalition — Yes! Make Parliament Work” and “I’m a Part of the 62 per cent Majority” — a reference to the combined vote share of the opposition parties in the last federal election.

They blew sharp blasts on their whistles. They clanked tin drums, clanged cowbells and rattled maracas.

Anti-Harper chants broke the crisp noon air.

“Hey hey! Ho ho! Stephen Harper has got to go!”

The Ottawa rally was one of several pro-coalition events organized for Thursday in several major cities to show support for the coalition’s goal of defeating the Conservatives and forming the government.

About 450 people supporting the coalition packed a hall next the Halifax Forum.

At one point, organizers opened a large door at the back of the hall to make room for the growing crowd.

Most were given pre-printed, blue and white signs with the slogan “Coalition Yes, Make Parliament Work.” Some chanted, “Yes we can,” borrowing a slogan from Barack Obama’s successful presidential election campaign.

Anna Pearce of Halifax said she was disappointed with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s move to suspend Parliament. But she said she understood Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean didn’t have much of a choice in granting his wish.

“I don’t like it,” said Pearce, “A friend of mine described it as he’s (Harper) going into a test but he’s pulled the fire alarm because he doesn’t know all the answers.”

Former NDP MP Peter Mancini said he supports the coalition, but not because of his political leanings.

“I’m here more as a democrat than as a New Democrat,” said Mancini, who said Harper had failed to put his government to a key political test by dodging a confidence vote in the Commons.

In Edmonton, meanwhile, both anti- and pro-coalition forces made their voices heard.

About 400 people braved cold temperatures and snow to gather at City Hall to show their support for the coalition.

It was a more peaceful demonstration than one earlier in the day in which about 200 angry protesters gathered outside the office of NDP MP Linda Duncan — Alberta’s lone non-Conservative MP — calling on her to resign or be symbolically fired by the crowd.

Alberta voters have developed the reputation of being notoriously apathetic in recent years, but there was little apathy in the crowd of ralliers.

They sang the national anthem and songs such as “Hit the Road Jack” — a shot at NDP leader Jack Layton — as passing cars and trucks honked.

Sporadic debates opened up as people warm to the idea of a coalition government passed and heckled the crowd.

“If an overthrow of the Canadian government is going to happen the people should have a say,” said Carolyn Giesbrecht, holding a sign that read “Democracy Now! or else!!”

The opposition coalition implored Jean to refuse Harper’s advice to suspend Parliament on the grounds that he lost the confidence of the House of Commons. But she approved the suspension.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion told supporters that Harper was forced to recant on contentious elements of his finance minister’s fiscal update only because of pressure from the coalition.

Wearing only a thin, black, wool overcoat, Dion’s voice rasped as he addressed the crowd in Ottawa.

“Without the coalition, Stephen Harper would have tried to impose an attack against bargaining rights in Canada,” he said.

“Thanks to the coalition, Stephen Harper was in obligation to back away, to backtrack on what he was proposing. . . . We need the coalition. This is important for Canada from coast to coast to coast.”

A loud “Duceppe!” chant welcomed the Bloc Quebecois leader to the podium. Gilles Duceppe accused Harper of practising the politics of “fear, division and lies.”

A police officer watching over the crowd estimated 2,000 to 2,500 people were at the rally.

Pro-coalition events were also taking place in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Regina, London, Ont., Moncton, Charlottetown and St. John’s, N.L.

Others are to be held Friday in Yellowknife and on Saturday in Toronto and Montreal.

Many other anti-coalition rallies were planned in the coming days.