A group of activists gathered in front of MP Randy Kamp’s office on Wednesday evening holding signs to protest the omnibus bill being debated in Ottawa.

Cars honked as they passed the group outside the office of the MP who represents Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and Mission, which organizer Oosha Ramsoondar said “would seem that [we] had the support of many in the community.”

This rally was part of a national event called the “13 Heroes” Day of Action organized by Lead Now Canada. Similar rallies were held outside the offices of other Conservative MPs’ offices whereby the protestors asked their representatives to take a stand to stop Bill C-38, an omnibus bill that includes the budget as well as other pieces of legislation.

“The impact of these legislative changes have not been adequately dissected and debated by MPs so many Canadians are unaware of the wide-ranging effects it will have on our environment, fisheries, workers rights, pensions, EI, food quality, and list goes on,” Ramsoondar said.

Their goal was to ask Kamp to not support the budget bill in its present form, but ask that it be split apart and the process started over.

The crowd of 60 or so held signs saying “Be A Hero, Stop Bill C-38”, “Habitat Matters,” “Bill C-38 Is Not Democracy,” “ Save Search and Rescue,” and “Silence is Not An Option.”

The group ranged in age from the very young to pensioners, and included environmentalists, social justice activists, trade unionists, members of diverse political parties, and concerned citizens.

“As parliamentarians gathered for their marathon 24-hour session in Ottawa to vote on the 800 or so opposition amendments and the Bill C-38 itself many Canadians are concerned that the Canada they know is headed for drastic change and are determined that their voices be heard on the matter,” Ramsoondar said.