Belleville residents, Mieke Thorne and Jan Sosiak, hit the streets on Saturday to say enough is enough.

The pair were part of small group of about a dozen people – part of a larger group known as The Council of Canadians – protesting against Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Carrying signs with slogans such as ‘Stop Harper’ and ‘Heave Steve’, the group gathered on the corners of the North Front Street and Bell Boulevard intersection in Belleville’s north end.

A cavalcade of honking horns and thumbs-ups greeted the pair as they walked up and down the sidewalk with signs raised high.

“We are calling to stop Harper because we are very concerned about what’s going on,” said Thorne.

Sosiak explains it’s not one issue prompting their turn to action, but a veritable laundry list of concerns and grievances with the current government in general, and the prime minister in specific.

“There’s so many issues,” she said. “Climate change is one, but there’s many more. There’s poverty, murdered and missing indigenous peoples. There’s a list a mile long.”

“The bill for example, Bill-C51 that he pushed through, which takes away some of our civil rights,” added Thorne.

“Omnibus bills in general, he’s had three I think. There’s no time (given) to discuss the issues,” said Sosiak.

An omnibus bill is a proposed law that covers a number of diverse or unrelated topics and, because of their large size and scope, can limit opportunities for debate or scrutiny.

“There seems to be a lack of democracy,” she continued. “It seems to be eroding and I’m very concerned. It’s time for someone else.”

Another big issue for the pair, who are also members of Amnesty International, is human rights and Canada’s role in the world.

“We’ve always been very concerned with human rights in general, and the lack of human rights, and this does not seem to be a big priority for this government,” said Sosiak.

“Our reputation internationally has gone way down.”

A factor Sosiak points to are Canadian mining companies working in other countries.

“There are abuses happening in these countries like Columbia and Guatamala. Mining in general throughout the world, it’s mainly Canadians. Seventy-five per cent (of mining companies) are Canadian companies overseas and the human rights abuses are terrible.”

“Pipelines are another big issue. The latest government is putting all their eggs in one basket, the oil extraction industries. And we’re suffering for it now.”

The Council of Canadians includes members from Belleville, Quinte West and Prince Edward County. Saturday’s group was small as the decision to protest on that day was a last minute one said Sosiak.

“We hope to do this weekly until the election,” added Thorne.

Above all else it’s important for young people to get and vote this year she said.

“I’m telling everyone I see with their windows rolled down to vote. Just vote.”

tim.miller@sunmedia.ca