Vancouver residents protest against Emerson's party change
About a hundred people chanted "resign" outside the constituency office of cabinet minister David Emerson on Sunday.
- RIDING PROFILE: Vancouver Kingsway
Like the much bigger meeting on Saturday, the demonstrators are angry because Emerson, elected as a Liberal in Vancouver Kingsway on Jan. 23, joined the Conservatives as minister of international trade on Feb. 6.
"What we are seeing here is just a non-partisan action. Its just the citizens of Vancouver Kingsway who voted and they are seeing that their vote has been disrespected," said Andrea Richardson, a resident in the riding.
Dave Engleman was blunter. "Stay off my street, pal. I feel like you've robbed me. I feel like you've just stolen from me and I don't like it."
Emerson has not made a public appearance in the riding since he joined the cabinet, but told CBC on Friday that he wouldn't resign.
"I continue to believe that I made the right decision, that I can serve my constituents and the province most effectively by accepting Mr. Harper's invitation to be in the cabinet."
- FROM FEB. 11, 2006: 'I won't quit' embattled Emerson tells CBC
Gary Lunn, the minister of natural resources, backs his colleague. The cabinet needs a representative from Vancouver, and Emerson, a former forest-industry executive, is "probably the most qualified person in this country" to end the softwood lumber dispute with the U.S.
Bill Graham, the interim Liberal leader, disagreed. "David Emerson is not the only human being on this planet that can resolve the softwood lumber file," he said.
But even if he was, Graham said Emerson's change of party would still be cynical.
"This is about the faith of citizens in a system under which we have to govern," Graham said.