December 6, 2008 – 8:19 pm
3000+ braved sub-zero temperatures at Nathan Philips Square, while just 500 managed to show up at Queen’s Park to listen to a 17-year-old accuse 62% of voters of engaging in a “coup d’etat”.
Don’t be too hard on the guy, ever since Mike Harris cut Grade 13, learning about mathematics and the rules of our parliamentary system has been a lot more difficult for kids. He probably hasn’t really wrapped his mind around how much he’ll end up owing in student loans or what the planet’s climate is likely to be like when he’s forty-five either.
December 5, 2008 – 2:35 pm
The EBC PARTY
Everyone But Conservatives
7:30pm Monday, December 8, 2008
Upstairs at the Rivoli
Department of Culture and NOW Magazine invite you to celebrate the success of grassroots organizing. Thursday’s suspension of parliament demands that we stay active and vigilant over the next 6 weeks to ensure that the majority of Canadians are represented in government.
On Monday, come toast the government that 63% of Canadians actually voted for. This Government in Waiting can prove that democracy still works, and that the voice of the majority really matters in Canada. Harper will spend millions of dollars on his misinformation campaign about how he believes parliamentary democracy functions, but he is wrong, and cannot hide behind his money bags forever.
On January 26th, Stephen Harper will once again face the elected representatives of the Canadian people, and in the meantime, we must help the Government in Waiting prepare for that historic day.
Monday’s EBC Party will celebrate the long awaited moment when politicians representing the broad spectrum of the centre-left learned to work together. We must increase pressure on the coalition members to make good on their pledge to cooperate and collaborate, and to create a responsible and responsive administration - one that moves beyond partisan politics and creates real solutions to the economic crisis and provides a generous vision for Canada’s future.
December 2, 2008 – 4:48 am
December 6th in Toronto - Two Rallies. One Rope.
1) Conservative Party Rally at Queen’s Park
http://rallyforcanada.ca/
2) Rally for a Progressive Coalition at City Hall
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=46997744273
Rumours have been circulating that a rope will be placed along University Avenue, between the two rallies. Media sources have confirmed speculation today that the Governor General will grant control of the House of Commons to whoever wins the Tug of War.
Rally In Vancouver:
Thursday, December 4, 20086:00pm - 7:00pm
Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=99064915261
Rally In Ottawa:
Thursday, December 4, 2008 12 Noon - 1:00pm
Parliament Hill in front of the Centre Block
http://www.facebook.com
/event.php?eid=100245105047
December 1, 2008 – 7:43 pm
Dear DoC blog reader,
By now you probably know, it’s over. We won. Most likely a week today, Stephen Harper’s government will come to an end and the majority of Canadians will get the government they voted for.
This will happen because of you.
It will happen because of every artist, arts worker and concerned citizen who flyered commuters, travelled to swing ridings, made YouTube videos, staged plays, played in concerts, made art, emailed their friends, signed petitions, joined Facebook groups, talked to their relatives at Thanksgiving, and in general decided to get off their asses and do something about a government that stood in direct opposition to the things we believe in. This movement played a key part in preventing a Stephen Harper majority, which is the reason I am able to write this post today.
It is also worth noting that we promoted a coalition government long before it seemed fashionable or “realistic”.
It has been an honour to work with all of you. The vast majority of us did not even know each other before August of this year. It has been overwhelming to meet so many committed citizens willing to drop their regular lives, take responsibility for the place where they live, and have the courage to use both their hearts and imaginations as the foundation to stand up to bullies in service of their own small-minded self interest.
Thanks you for all your hard work. Clearly, it was worth it. You’re the best.
Sincerely,
Michael Wheeler
Founding Member
Department of Cultutre
