It is well-known by now that Conservative Party of Canada MPs and supporters are holding rallies across the country to demonstrate against the Liberal-NDP coalition threatening to boot Stephen Harper out of office. Turning public support strongly against the coalition and inflaming regional and political divides is Harper's only realistic hope of retaining control, unless he can somehow convince the Governor-General to do the unthinkable and ignore the legitimate alternative that has been formed by either calling another election or sending Harper back to the House of Commons to sort it out himself, even though his government has lost the confidence of House MPs.
For Canadian Kossacks who wish to rally in support of the coalition, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) have scheduled a series of rallies to take place this week in major cities across Canada:
NUPGE president James Clancy says Harper deserves to be defeated because of the "ideological and partisan games" he has played as prime minister.
"He can no longer be trusted to act in Canada's interests instead of his own and he must make way for someone who will," Clancy says.
"Instead of taking real action to address Canada's economic crisis in last week’s economic statement, the Harper government focused on ideological cuts to public services, a ban on the right to strike for public employees and the cancellation of public financing for political parties.
"In tough times Canadians need an economic stimulus package from their government not an attack on their labour rights and the public services they need to rely on," Clancy added.
The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) have also issued a press release declaring their support for the coalitin of government.
I'm sure our labour unions would appreciate your support at these rallies even if you are not a member. Here is a list of the rallies planned, with Ottawa intended to be the largest:
St. John’s, Newfoundland
Thursday, December 4th 7 p.m. St. Theresa’s Hall
Mundy Pond Road
Mary Shortall CLC Rep
1-709-685-8105
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Thursday, December 4th 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Maritime Hall – Halifax Forum
Windsor & Almon Street
(enter off Almon Street)
Tony Tracy, CLC Rep 1-902-223-9489
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Thursday, December 4th 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Community Centre
Richmond Street
Jean-Claude Basque, CLC Rep 1-506-862-9182
Moncton, New Brunswick
Thursday, December 4th 7 p.m.
Moncton City Hall Front Lawn
Main Street
Dee Dee Daigle, CLC Rep 1-506-866-9661
Regina, Saskatchewan
Thursday, December 4th 7 p.m.
Speakers @ 7:30 p.m.
Education Auditorium
University of Regina
David Winter, Director, 1-306-536-7703
Edmonton, Alberta
Thursday, December 4th 6 p.m.
Winston Churchill Square
Downtown Edmonton central
Les Steel, CLC Rep 1-780-405-2756
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Thursday, December 4th
7 p.m. Marlborough Hotel
331 Smith Street
Ballroom (Room for 600)
Deb Jamerson, CLC Rep 1-204-781-2249
Vancouver, British Columbia
Thursday, December 4th Doors open @ 5 p.m.
Speakers @ 6 p.m.
Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre
Ballroom "A"
David Rice, Director 1-604-230-3708
Toronto, Ontario
Saturday, December 6th 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. City Hall
Nathan Phillips Square
Kelly Hayes, Director 1-416-725-5704
Ottawa, Ontario
Thursday, December 4th Noon
Parliament Hill
Bertrand Begin, CLC Rep 1-613-799-9894 NUPGE
If you are unable to attend a rally, you can also contact the Governor-General's office to let them know you support the coalition as a viable alternative:
Email: info@gg.ca
Toll-free: 1 (800) 465-6890
Facsimile: (613) 998-8760
If you prefer to snail mail, the Governor-General can be reached at the following address -- no postage necessary:
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean
Governor General of Canada
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A1
I am hoping to attend the Toronto rally. Hope to see some of you there?
There is also a pro-coalition and a Fire Stephen Harper Now Facebook you can join!
Edit: Polls to freep:
Globe and Mail (scroll down, right side)
Toronto Star (scroll down, left side)
Yahoo.ca (right side)
MSN.ca (Question of the Day)
Global News (right side)