OTTAWA (CBC) - Residents of Calgary and Ottawa had their eye on the deadline Friday for cities bidding to host the Portrait Gallery of Canada.

Dozens of supporters who want the gallery in Ottawa, including artists and politicians from all three levels of government, rallied on Wellington Street across from Parliament Hill at noon to mark the occasion.

A day earlier, Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier announced that the city has sent in its bid to locate the gallery on the northwest corner of its downtown Olympic Plaza.

In November, the federal government announced that it wanted Halifax, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa-Gatineau, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver to bid for the gallery, which was originally slated for Ottawa.

In addition, Public Works Minister Michael Fortier said the government wanted to ensure maximum tax dollar benefits by including the private sector.

NDP MP Dewar, who represents Ottawa Centre, helped organize the rally in Ottawa Friday, saying it was an opportunity to show public support for keeping the gallery in the nation's capital.

The museum was originally to set to open in the former American Embassy on Wellington Street, steps from the rally.

Ottawa city Coun. Diane Holmes, who joined the rally, said she was very concerned about putting the gallery up for auction, when many people feel the museum belongs in Ottawa.

The City of Ottawa has approved a bid that would incorporate the museum as part of a 24-storey tower to be built by Claridge Homes at the corner of Metcalfe and Lisgar Streets downtown.

Edmonton has also announced its intention to put in a bid.

The Alberta government pledged $40 million in its budget in April to support bids to bring the gallery to that province.

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