It was supposed to be a petition to stop potential cuts to Canada's public broadcaster, but it likely won't be seen by the eyes of the minister responsible.

Local organizers of a group called Reimagine CBC had planned to drop off a petition Thursday opposing any cuts to the CBC at the riding office of Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam MP James Moore, who is also the minister of heritage.

But while organizers, who were four members strong, were speaking with the media for a few minutes just prior to turning in their petition at noon, the MP's riding office suddenly closed.

It left organizer Jeannine Mitchell fuming.

"This takes it a step down to cowardly," she told The NOW.

Mitchell said she phoned the riding office to let staff know about the group's plans, a move she believed was the right thing to do.

The NOW attempted to contact Moore's office, but calls were not returned prior to deadline.

The Reimagine CBC group started the petition a week ago over concerns the upcoming federal budget would reveal large cuts to the CBC.

Mitchell had planned to turn in a petition that included 26,000 signatures from across the country.

She argued the CBC is vital for residents to learn more about Canada.

"I just love the CBC," she said.

"I listen to it everyday. I would just hate to see it decimated."

Perturbed by the developments at Moore's office, Mitchell said she intended to drop the petition off at neighbouring NDP MP Fin Donnelly's riding office instead.

jdeutsch@thenownews.com

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