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5 DECEMBER 2008 – Over Two Thousand Supporters Gather at Rally to Support NDP-Liberal Coalition
VANCOUVER, BC – On Thursday, well over 2,000 supporters, including Steelworker members (click for enlargement of image above), gathered at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre to voice their support for the NDP-Liberal Coalition, backed by the Bloc Quebecois. Earlier in the day, Governor Michaelle Jean granted Harper his request to lock the doors of the House of Commons for 7 weeks to avoid a political crisis that Harper touched off with his economic statement on November 27, which went far beyond what could be expected by the leader of a minority government. Harper’s statement ignored the economic plight of forest workers and workers in manufacturing industries. And he vowed to limit workers’ right to strike and seek pay equity. He even cut funding off for opposition political parties. The Coalition, which represents 63 per cent of voters in Canada is formulating plans for a $30-billion economic stimulus package to assist the ailing forest, auto and manufacturing sectors and create jobs by building up Canada’s country’s infrastructure. The Coalition is also supporting an improved EI system and social safety net, including worker retraining. At the rally, which was mc’d by New Westminster Councilor Bill Harper, the crowd heard from newly-elected Vancouver Councilor Heather Deal, former Liberal MP Herb Dhaliwal, NDP MP Peter Julian and, via big screen, federal NDP leader Jack Layton and Liberal party leader Stephane Dion. Harper said that voters have to “reclaim our country” and fight Harper “putting a lock on the doors” of the House of Commons. He said that millions will be spent by the Harper conservatives to advertise why he should stay in power but that “you can never defeat ideas.” Vancouver city councilor-elect Heather Deal, flanked by other successful Vision Vancouver and COPE candidates, said the federal government needs to put people before politics. She said the infrastructures of Canada’s major cities are crumbling and there is a huge need for public transit initiatives. “We need action from the government in Ottawa,” she said. “We have this opportunity and we must take it…only through bold, progressive leadership...” Herb Dhaliwal said that the Harper economic statement “slapped the opposition in the face” by cutting federal funding for all parties. He said it’s important to not let Harper divide Canadians and the government must take action for such vital sectors as forestry, mining and manufacturing. Dhaliwal said that Harper can’t “thwart the will of parliament” and that the fight is on, from coast-to-coast. Peter Julian said that November 27 was a “day of infamy” when Harper launched one of Canada’s greatest political crises. And that even though Harper has withdrawn some measures, he has refused to compromise. He said Harper is playing the politics of division between English and French speaking Canada and that “all Canadians are first class citizens…” Julian said that the Coalition will focus on an economic stimulus package to build and rebuild infrastructure. Transit will be a major priority as well as “stopping the theft of EI.” Jack Layton appeared in a Youtube video to thank those who attended rallies across Canada while Stephane Dion appeared on video. Dion said that Harper has taken a political crisis and has evoked a parliamentary and national unity crisis, during a period of time leading to the greatest crisis since the “Great Depression.” In addition to the Vancouver and Ottawa events, Coaltion rallies took place in St. John's, Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Regina, Edmonton, and Winnipeg. On Saturday, a major rally will take place in Toronto.
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