A number of anti-prorogation groups cropped up on Facebook since the Prime Minister closed down Parliament for 63 days. Harper has decided to forgo Parliament's spring break, perhaps in response to the public outcry, allowing Parliament to regain two weeks of lost time.
One group, Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament, numbers almost 225,000 people from across the country. Fans of this cause have posted comments ranging from obscenity laden rants criticizing Harper's government to well-informed comments dissecting the reasoning of prorogation and the failures it entailed.
While the initial Facebook group was created by Christopher White, a Postgraduate student from the University of Alberta, the CAPP forum has seen increased attention, spawning from links on the Facebook page. A moderator for the CAPP forum, identified by the tag "Sol Mann" thought the site was a good outlet for upset citizens to show their displeasure with prorogation.
"Just having people who are willing to join these groups shows that we as Canadians aren't willing to lie down when democracy is being bastardized," said Sol Mann, via e-mail. "I think the groups definitely had an impact in getting Harper to stand down and cancel spring-break for parliament."
Sitting members of the Conservative government were not so ready to declare victory for social networking, but did acknowledge it was an important resource for Canadians to show their displeasure. "While I think the social networking scene was an important outlet for the average Canadian, I'm not sure we can say that this movement was one that would take down a government," said Blaine Calkins, Conservative MP for Wetaskawin, AB. "Whether it influenced the Prime Minister's decision, I cannot say. But it will be good to return to helping run this country."
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