More than 23,000 people have joined a Facebook group opposed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to suspend Parliament until after the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The group, Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament, claimed 23,033 members as of Monday night.
It was launched by an Albertan named Christopher White less than a week ago.
"On December 30th, 2009, for the second time in as many years, Stephen Harper has asked the Governor General to prorogue parliament. Like last time, he will certainly get what he's asking for, forsaking his responsibility to be accountable to his employers, us Canadians citizens," White writes on the Facebook page.
"What can we do? Ask your MP to attend parliament anyways," White continues. "Think it can't be done? Check this out."
The group is encouraging Canadians to hold rallies in cities across the country on Jan. 23.
Another 1,400 have joined a more general-purpose Facebook group entitled, From Now On, I'm Proroguing Anything I Don't Want to Deal With.
"Don't feel like handing in that paper? Prorogue it," writes creator Sally Scott. "Don't feel like cleaning the house? Prorogue it. Don't feel like picking the kids up from school? Prorogue 'em. Don't feel like taking a shower? Don't prorogue that. Seriously."
Monte Paulsen prorogues for The Tyee.
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Van Isle
2 years ago
As far as I'm concerned,
As far as I'm concerned, these pricks in Ottawa don't give a rats-ass what people think and couldn't even care less what facebook joining campaign does. If you want to get a reaction, go down to your MP's office, show your anger to whoever is in that office. If you have a Conservative MP; well that's even better; now you can be right into his/her face.
shepsil
2 years ago
Has this membership gone viral?
Since this article was posted on "The Hook"last night, the number of members on this Facebook group has gone from 23,000 to 35,000.
mikev
2 years ago
my favourite facebook groups:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59306991210
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=223836292827
;)
Ramona777
2 years ago
Big Facebooking Deal
As the Facebook group creator said:
"Don't feel like handing in that paper? Prorogue it," writes creator Sally Scott. "Don't feel like cleaning the house? Prorogue it."
Replace "Prorogue it," with "Create a Facebook group."
The result is, what exactly does a Facebook group achieve? It's easy to sign onto something. The real test is actual action. How many people are ready to protest, put their face out there, actually do something physical?
North of Hope
2 years ago
MacKinnion cartoon
Check this site for a MacKinnion cartoon on the subject.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/toon.php
happy
2 years ago
I second Ramona777
Remember the Anti-Coalition rally's?
That was protesting. Thousands of persons getting off their computer desk chairs and making the time to actually "do something"
I'll take the Anti-Proroguing crowd seriously when I see them walk the walk.
Anybody can talk the talk.
Frank
2 years ago
happy and Ramona
Nobody protests anymore, its like voting, the powers that be ignore it so why bother.
All that happens nowadays is when people with a lot of money protest, then government listens.
But then, that's what your side wants. You should rejoice in your victory.
NicS
2 years ago
Remove Prime Minister Harper by petition.
On this site you can petition for Prime Minister Harpers removal.
Tommy Douglas on Fascism:
shepsil
2 years ago
Facebook site growing fast
Last night 23,000, tonight this Facebook group is at 56,000.
happy
2 years ago
(Happy 2010) your quote:
(Happy 2010)
your quote: "All that happens nowadays is when people with a lot of money protest, then government listens."
Now thats just not true. Two local examples.
1) some years ago a brash young politician named Glen decided to substantially increase property taxes on houses worth over 500,000 (I think it was) since they could obviously afford it. Turned out that an awful lot of those fat cats were actually widows on Canada Pension who'd lived in their houses for many, many years before Vancouver property prices went silly, and they would be forced out. Public uproar, dumb idea dropped.
2) some years later a brash older politician named Gordon decided to sell the Coquhilla highway. Regular users of the highway, especially from Kamloops, didn't like that, Public uproar, dumb idea dropped.
I would just call those protesters regular folks Frank, just like you or I, unless you think I have "a lot of money"
I wish I did and I wouldn't be working night shift like I am right now.
Cheers
happy
2 years ago
Oops!
Too fast on the trigger. My previous post subject title should have been for my fellow poster Frank. But Happy 2010 everyone
Karen D.
2 years ago
Ramona and happy
Creating a facebook group gives those who believe in a cause but unable to attend physical demonstrations a voice. When members rise substantially in a group voicing an opinion the media becomes involved thus opening the topic to thousands more prospective members. Do you really think that the group 'Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament' would have been as successful had the media not picked up on the story?
Physical demonstrations are still very effective also, for the same reason - to attract media attention.
I applaud technology for giving me a way of getting my opinion out there.
Frank
2 years ago
happy
Your first example I would suggest supports my argument more than your own. Back in the 1990's house prices were a lot lower so its not like everyone was affected when property taxes were increased on homes over $500,000.
The "widows" bit was just right-wing hyperbole, no one on my side of the fence actually believed that bs because after all you never hear the Right demanding that no senior should be living in poverty.
As for your second example, I would agree that is true. But I can stack against that a number of protests that failed to do anything. The HST obviously, the carbon tax is another, the firing of the hospital cleaners. the referendum on native rights, the reduction of the minimum wage, increases in tuition, lack of social housing, closing of local schools and putting kids on buses for hours a day. And so on ad infinitum.
Protests don't get government's attention.
Monte Paulsen
2 years ago
How many Canadians are on Facebook?
As of Wednesday morning, the group counts 63,000 members. The pace of growth appears to be slowing. And this is still a tiny fraction of the Canadian electorate.
Does anyone here know how many Canadian adults are on Facebook?
Wilfride Laurier
2 years ago
Funny.....
"If 50,000 people join this group, absolutely nothing will happen."
Too funny!
Too true!
Sask Resident
2 years ago
Prorougued
Most of the work of an MP is done away from the House from dealing with constituents to doing research on legislation to developing policies (everyone but Liberals) with the House for shouting and voting. The extra month away from Ottawa should give the MPs a chance to accomplish something.
Wilfride Laurier
2 years ago
Hey Sask Resident....
Nice to see you aping Herr Harper's party line here. Using this logic, there is no reason for Parliament to meet at all.
happy
2 years ago
Hey Wilf
I guess you must be a Martinite.
How many times was it Chretien did the dastardly deed?
Four?
Loretta
2 years ago
Numbers increasing almost exponentially
The group is at 87,601 as of 30 seconds ago and its numbers are rising almost exponentially.
shepsil
2 years ago
Canadians on Facebook more than once/mth.
14 Million. 12 + million are over 18 yrs.old. Loretta you appear to be right, the numbers are picking up again. Interesting to see if the weekend allows people to think about this proroguing and register their opinions and vote online. There are at least 4 mths before an election will happen and that leaves plenty of room to push this matter back into Prime Ministers Harper's lap.
Already the polls are changing, I wonder how 4 months will change them further?