A young Senate page disrupted the opening of the new parliamentary session today, holding up a sign that read 'Stop Harper' in the middle of Governor-General David Johnston's Throne Speech.
Brigette Marcelle DePape, 21, was immediately ejected from the Senate Chambers.
The University of Ottawa graduate had prepared a statement explaining her actions.
"Harper's agenda is disastrous for this country and for my generation," she wrote. "We have to stop him from wasting billions on fighter jets, military bases, and corporate tax cuts while cutting social programs and destroying the climate. Most people in this country know what we need are green jobs, better medicare, and a healthy environment for future generations."
The Speech from the Throne opens each new session of Parliament and outlines the government's agenda. Globe and Mail reporter John Ibbitson described the tone of the speech as "Goldilocks conservatism," a sign that "Stephen Harper seeks to advance his agenda without alarming those who think that agenda is hidden and extreme."
There was no talk of hot-button issues like gay rights, abortion or capital punishment. The speech instead focused on budget and campaign promises on the economy, including cuts to corporate taxes and elimination of red tape and trade barriers. It spelled out an ambitious agenda to balance the books by 2014.
The CBC reports that DePape has been removed from her position in the page program. When The Tyee tried to reach DePape by phone, a woman who answered and identified herself as a friend said DePape was still being held by Senate security staff. The friend added that in the press release, she identified herself by only her first and middle names, Brigette Marcelle.
Colleen Kimmett reports for The Tyee.
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Grumpy
50 weeks ago
Good for her
Here we have a true Canadian, someone not afraid of Herr Harper and his band of evil.
“Bravery is believing in yourself, and that thing nobody can teach you.”
Van Isle
50 weeks ago
Well done Ms. DePape, it
Well done Ms. DePape, it took guts what you did and I hope other young people do something along the same lines if the opportunity presents itself.
G West
50 weeks ago
kudos
'Still being held by security staff'...What the Hell for?
She should be on the National news all across the country tonight - in place of the diet of hockey pap we've been getting ad nauseum for the past week or two
A true Canadian hero indeed!
Well done.
A lot more people need to get up Pee Wee's nose before it's too damn late.
Road Lice
50 weeks ago
National Hero
There is hope for Canada after all! You are my hero Ms. DePape!
motorcycleguy
50 weeks ago
hear hear!
Wonder if I will see this on the "news"?
Though I know it is not quite the same thing, I did comment somewhere a while back on the new batch of young NDP MP's. Please note it is not the party they belong to that is the point, it could have been any party. It went something like this....
"I may be the only one who is OK with the group of young, inexperienced NDP Members of Parliament. I am certain they are all of reasonable intelligence and will be able to learn the rules of engagement and protocol in short order. However, they will surely experience a sense of frustration at not being able to get things accomplished and not having anyone listen to their ideas. I look forward to some spirited exchanges as they vent these frustrations. I also look forward to the fact they are not beholden to any particular donor, corporation or media outlet and would look upon any such associations with disdain. I strongly believe they will perform in the true spirit of someone elected to represent their constituents. I have been ill-served by many career politicians and see it as a better than 50/50 chance these young members will do an equal or better job."
John Greg
50 weeks ago
Yay!
What else can you say. What a brave woman. More power to her. Bravo.
mot
50 weeks ago
The Page
She's the first sign of sanity since said election.
Further, what's with the "interview links" black-out:
Is this a PMO deleted topic?
Perhaps she will be "rendered" somewhere....
to get the Bradley Manning (remember that he's not been charged with any crime) treatment.
Harper once again shows his Neo Con links
from D. Frum(axis of evil) to G. Bush and the rest of the the US Corporate crime syndicate.
Skywalker
50 weeks ago
Somebody who puts her money ...
...where her mouth is. Good for her! She should replace Harper and we'd be better off.
North of Hope
50 weeks ago
Good for her
Good for her. In a democracy, all have freedom of speech. It is not only the politicians who speak for us. We are allowed to do it ourselves as well.
G West
50 weeks ago
But Guys...
Did you notice the spin they've started on the 'News'?
It isn't a matter of freedom of speech, a matter of expressing a political opinion or a matter of someone being willing to put up her job for what she believes in...
Oh NO, it's a matter of SECURITY!
What a pile of self serving crap.
Fiat lux
50 weeks ago
She should get the Order of
She should get the Order of Canada !
The more I see and hear, the more I feel that Harper will be forced out before his term is over.
The only thing we can hope for is that he won't be able to do too much irreparable damage to the country before he disappears into a string of directorships heaped on him by the grateful corporate mafia.
Ed Deak.
NicS
50 weeks ago
Its up to the under 30 crowd now....
and it seems they are not shy about expressing themselves. Kudos to those willing to show us what freedom of speech and standing up to conservative values looks like. Its great to see that the youth of today know the difference between conservative moral values and progressive moral values.
Troutsky
50 weeks ago
Good for you, kiddo
Whatever the next 4 years bring,
and I sincerely hope it will involve a people's revolt,
we must NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND THEM that WE ,
THE CANADIAN PEOPLE,
HOLD THEM IN CONTEMPT.
lynn
50 weeks ago
Great suggestion, Ed Deak.
The Order of Canada's Latin motto:
desiderantes meliorem patriam, "they desire a better country."
Ms. DePape, by standing on guard for Canada, is bravely answering that call.
alive
50 weeks ago
good!
Actually I got so bored watching that BlackRod BS, that I turned the program off!
What a bunch of crap carry over from the British!
I applaud the spirit of the young Lady!
Next Harpers staff will have every page swear allegiance to the Queen and himself!
morechatter
50 weeks ago
could not have said it better
Or it is what we have been all saving all along only this young Canadian has the attention of the country, right on!
NicS
50 weeks ago
Order of Canada in order for...
Brigette Marcelle DePape. A new national hero and leader.
Van Isle
50 weeks ago
Just read an article where
Just read an article where the Speaker of the Senate accused Ms. DePape of "an act of contempt to Parliament". Just wonder what he thinks of that the Conservatives did when they lied to Parliament?
Worrywart
50 weeks ago
Finally
Finally someone has stood up in an act of civil disobedience. That one sign is an indictment against a mainstream media that gives Harper a free pass on his far right reactionary politics. That same media then turns around and suggests her patriotic act is anti-democratic, because Harper has an elected majority. If the mainstream press was not totally corporate owned, the people of Canada would truly understand Harpers contempt for parliament and Canadians in general. A truly informed electorate would have rejected Harper and he would not have a majority.