Anti-Stephen Harper Petition - Parliament Hill Mob Gig

Friday, June 25th, 2004

By Grannie Pat

At a press conference held at the Famous Five monument, a scroll was presented containing over 5,000 on-line signatures to a letter warning what a Conservative Harper government would mean to Canadians:  reduced social programs, more private health care, and closer links with American military ambitions such as Star Wars. 

Maude Barlow voiced her concerns about healthcare and weapons in space, while Elizabeth May spoke of the poor environmental attitudes of the Conservatives.  Two aboriginal women also expressed their anxieties regarding Stephen Harper's proposals and their probable effects on women and native groups.

Although given short notice, a small crowd did gather to see the impressive scroll unrolled on the grass, with signatures from (mostly women) all across the country and other Canadians abroad.

One amusing note:  Richard Mahoney, a local Liberal candidate, showed up, smiled throughout the proceedings, and even accepted a Stop Harper button, which he cheerfully pinned on.

Three Grannies, Virginia, Jo and Pat, showed up just for support, not to sing.  But on listening to the speeches, and just happening to have the words on them, they made a quick decision and regaled those present with our Healthcare Song and Star Wars.  Pat's daughter Virginia was kind enough to add her voice to the trio, so we sounded lustier; and our Grannie umbrella made us look more like a bunch.

No doubt we swayed the vote.  The Conservatives lost, didn't they?