Montreal was recently in the hearts of several thousand LGBT activists and athletes but also, on the minds of politicians — especially one who was loudly boo-ed by an entire stadium!

Québec’s largest city hosted the first ever OutGames, a second LGBT “Olympics” which drew over 12,000 athletes. Prior to the OutGames, about 1,500 people attended a major international LGBT and human rights conference.

Attendees were treated to inspiring speakers from across the world, including athletes Mark Tewksbury and Martina Navratilova, elected representatives, community activists, and judges, both openly LGBT and straight allies.

The Declaration of Montreal, a bold document outlining the human rights aspirations of the world’s LGBT people, was approved by the conference and will be submitted to the United Nations.

But something quite extraordinary happened in Montreal’s Olympic Stadium during the dazzling musical celebration to kick off the OutGames.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper sent his top Montreal representative, Michael Fortier, to deliver greetings from the Canadian government. Fortier, a former Conservative campaign organizer who did not run as a candidate in the last federal election, was nonetheless appointed a Senator by Harper, then named a Cabinet Minister.

Until Fortier’s appearance on the stage for the OutGames opening ceremony, the federal government had been conspicuously absent from the entire human rights conference.

Singer k.d. lang had criticized Harper’s refusal to attend the event. During an interview with media the day before she sang at the OutGames opening, she said: “It’s a sad statement that the national leader of a country that’s one of the most progressive countries in the world chooses to support intolerance.”

With this in mind, let us return to the exhilarating atmosphere of the Olympic Stadium with a crowd of over 40,000 people.

Many official speeches were delivered, during which the crowd enthusiastically applauded.

Enter Mr. Fortier, Minister of Public Works. Seconds into his speech, the boo-ing started. Within a few short moments, it seemed the entire stadium was loudly jeering the representative of a federal Cabinet which has pledged to re-open the issue of equal marriage for same-sex couples and attempt to roll back equality rights.

It was quite something to behold. I almost felt sorry for the guy. Almost.

In fact, Montrealâe(TM)s mayor, the popular Gerald Tremblay, intervened in order to beseech the crowd to please listen with respect. Again, Fortier took the podium to continue his speech. The crowd, slightly more quiet, nonetheless continued its insistent boo-ing which reverberated throughout the stadium.

It was headline news in French-language media. It’s to be hoped that Fortier brought back the message to his boss, Harper.

It brings to mind John Ibbitson’s recent column in The Globe and Mail. He suggested that Harper’s government, by upholding policies which are counter to the views of the people whose support they need to gain, namely in Montreal, “may have done irreparable harm to their dreams of winning a majority government.”

We can only hope. Perhaps the Stadium boo-ing is a political barometer, telling Harper’s Conservatives to expect cold showers in the next election.