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(The following article is from the January 1-31, 2009, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

Despite the cynical games being played by many members of Parliament, anger against the Harper Tories continues to run deep across the country. This report from Antigonish, Nova Scotia (pop. 4800) shows that this sentiment is not limited to major cities.

 By Betsy MacDonald

On December 6, 150 people marched in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, to oppose Stephen Harper's undemocratic decision to prorogue Parliament, and to support the Union of Postal Communications Employees/Public Service Alliance of Canada workers striking against Canada Post, which is trying to eliminate employees' sick leave. Workers, community members and representatives of parties supporting a coalition government gathered downtown next to the Post Office on a chilly Saturday morning to send a message to Ottawa: Shame on you, Stephen Harper!

     While the crowd was composed of people of various political stripes, the overwhelming sentiment was one of discontent with the current federal government and its anti-worker, anti-democratic policies. Harper's decision to prorogue Parliament - and take a several-week holiday while Canadians suffer through the economic crisis - was a major focus of the rally. Demonstrators also expressed outrage at recent Conservative attacks on workers' and women's rights through legislation that would take away the right to strike and file pay equity complaints. PSAC flags and Coalition Yes! signs were abundant, and various speakers - including anti-capitalist activists, NDP and Liberal reps and a UPCE/PSAC rep - spoke about the economic crisis, and how action in Ottawa is needed to save jobs and pensions.

     After speeches, the crowd began singing "Solidarity Forever" and marched past the Canada Post building down to Conservative MP Peter MacKay's office. There, they continued chanting slogans like "The workers united can never be defeated!" and "Harper, Harper, shame on you - Workers need a holiday too!"

     People walking downtown joined the vigorous rally, which attracted local and provincial media attention (and rivalled the concurrent pro-Conservative Halifax-based rally in numbers). At a time when corporations and governments are attacking basic rights, people in this small Nova Scotia town joined forces to show the capitalist class that we will settle for nothing less than real, people's democracy.