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Industry Minister Tony Clement debating prorogation at York -Jessica Denyer

Yesterday at York University, an impromptu protest emerged against Federal Minister of Industry Tony Clement. He was at York to tour a hole in the ground that will eventually be the new Life Sciences Building (quite literally a hole because no other work has been done on the site yet)! His press release on the government website invites members of the media for “photo opportunities”.

Now, if there was no prorogation of Parliament, he would be in Ottawa answering questions in the House of Commons. Instead he’s at York University trying to get some positive press for the Conservative government. Hard-hats do not suit him well. I always find it funny when government ministers wear hard-hats at a site where they are clearly not needed. This is along the same lines as Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis in a military helmet during the 1988 US Presidential race.

Because of the short notice, a small contingent was able to make it out and have our voices heard. We protested, not as student leaders but as Canadians. After failing to get Clement’s attention at first, we were able to finally catch up with him and express our views on prorogation.

I would say that a ten minute debate began between Minister Clement and one of the protesters, Walied Khogali, who was one of the organizers of the 10,000 strong Toronto rally against prorogation on Saturday. Clement accused Khogali of raising his voice while debating. Clement raised his voice just minutes later, a pure sign of hypocrisy.

Minster Clement was pretty respectful and did note our right to protest. He added that if we didn’t agree with Conservative policies, “all you have to do is vote us out”. Well Mr. Clement, I’m all for an election as I’ve stated in my previous posts. Bring it on! Michael Ignatieff is improving his public image in my eyes and the Liberals are re-gaining baby boomer support.

Clement defended prorogation and said that his government was doing alot of work on behalf of Canadians. Work like their Conservative riding friendly Economic Action Plan or improving public safety. Harper did have to replace his Public Safety Minister with someone who would have more credibility just last week. I don’t think the public safety file is working out too well.

Clement also said that his party was doing good work on the environment (maybe for big-oil). That comment caused me to start laughing in front of him while I remembered the numerous fossil awards Canada received at the Copenhagen conference.

I would suggest for Minister Clement to go back to his cottage in his Parry-Sound Musjoka riding. A riding that has received over $50 million in infrastructure money. It’s a riding where in 2006, he only won by just under 30 votes.

Thankfully for me, I don’t have classes on Monday, because I can’t prorogue things when I choose.