'Harperman' movement comes to Nelson
By Nelson Daily Staff
Nelsonites against Conservative leader Stephen Harper are gathering at City Hall Courtyard to show their displeasure with the Prime Minister with a locally owned rendition of “Harperman”.
“The event is part of a nation-wide sing-a-long of the song that critiques the Conservative government’s record,” said local organizer Keith Wiley.
Wiley said Nelson songsters are pulling together an impromptu choir to sing
the big election hit, “Harperman” Thursday beginning at Noon.
Wiley added local songwriters are also going to be singing some of their
political commentary songs to warm up to the big sing-a-long of Harperman.
“It’s going to be fun to put a musical twist into the election hubbub,” Wiley said.
“The Harperman song has created quite a stir across Canada. It’s a great way for us to show what we think, just like the song’s chorus says: Harperman, it’s time for you to go!”
Harperman was written by Tony Turner, an Ottawa folk musician who
works for Environment Canada. The recording accuses the PM of muzzling scientists and suppressing freedom of the press, among other criticisms.
The government said Turner’s song represents a breach of the ethics code, according to his union, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada.
After a youtube video of Tony and a choir singing the tune went viral, Environment Canada disciplined him with a forced leave of absence.
The second line in the song, ironically, is “Who squashes all dissent, Harperman, Harperman.”
