On Friday, during the reading of the Speech from the Throne, a woman named Brigette Marcelle DePape, 21, who was employed as a page in the Senate, disrupted this ceremony by holding up a sign that read “Stop Harper” (left). She was immediately escorted from the Senate and fired.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, no fan of the policies of the Harper government, thought Brigette's means and method of protest to be “inappropriate”, telling reporters in the House of Commons foyer:
“That is the most solemn moment in a Parliamentary democracy. In theory, we’re in the presence of Her Majesty and the Sovereign. That isn’t Stephen Harper’s room. That’s somebody else’s room. On the other hand, I thought that the act of personal courage was something that you couldn’t avoid. She didn’t shout. She wasn’t disrespectful. Clearly holding a sign up was not appropriate. She was in the wrong room. But her commitment and the concern that all – that many, many Canadian youth come to me all the time that this is their future and when they don’t see climate action, they see their future at stake. So I think that I, while understanding her reasons and feeling that that was a brave act, it was the wrong place.
So what is the right place?
Well, the right place, as May, Jack Layton, and Stephen Harper all know, is the country's shopping malls, luncheons hosted by chambers of commerce, sewing circles, union meetings, parish picnics, but most definitely not the Senate of Canada.
I have had countless conversations with activists on both the left and right who bemoan the fact that young people, like Brigette, love the quick hit and immediate emotional satisfaction of a protest, a flash mob, or sit-in — but then eschew the hard, dull work of actually bringing about change by sitting through one community meeting after another convincing voters that their view is the right one.
Some may point at the federal NDP caucus as evidence of the “quick-hit” youth breakthrough but the sages in that party will tell you that the electoral breakthrough they achieved on May 2 was not the result of having their supporters storm hallowed halls with the equivalent of a “Stop Harper” sign but was, instead, the result of difficult, painstaking work building a political alternative to the Liberals and Conservatives, an alternative that was, among other things, able to raise enough money to be able to match those two political parties dollar-for-dollar when it comes to election advertising. Cost of a national election campaign nowadays: Better come to the table with $20 million. It took the NDP a decade of hard work to be able to do that.
Consider: Jack Layton, a popular municipal politician from Toronto wins the leadership of the federal NDP in 2003. The party, at that point, had only 13 seats and, in the 2000 general election, had received just 8.5 per cent of the popular vote. After much hard work to rebuilding his party organization, the NDP in 2004 won 19 seats, 2.1 million votes, and 15.7 per cent of the popular vote – and parlayed that in Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority government into some very effective leverage.
Then: In 2006, Layton's NDP improved again: winning 29 seats on 2.6 million votes (17.5 per cent). In 2008, Layton's party would get fewer votes — 2.5 million — but would end up winning more seats — 37 — on 18 per cent of the popular vote. And then, after nearly a decade of hard work, in 2011, Layton's NDP gets 4.5 million votes (31 per cent) and wins 103 seats to become the Official Opposition.
As Nova Scotia's NDP Premier Darrell Dexter told me last week: That's great, but it's in the rear-view mirror now. He was on the opposition benches for a decade before he had the political breakthrough that made him the leader of a government. Brigette might be wise to remember that Dexter's historic breakthrough occurred becuase of painstaking hard work and not because of a silly flash-in-the-pan protest.
In fact, for Layton, May, and even Stephen Harper, the change that they and their supporters were seeking did not come about because they held up a protest sign at a public event. Brigette, upon being turfed from the Senate, issued a press release calling for a Canadian Arab Spring, perhaps not realizing that the whole point of the Arab Spring that millions in Tunisia, Libya, Syria, Egypt, and Yemen were dying for was for the simple right to have free, fair elections, something Canada did about 4 weeks prior to Brigette's odd protest. In fact, Layton, May, and Harper have, for a decade or more, been counting on the very guarantees of Canada's democratic rule of law that the Arab Spring protesters are dying for. Left, right or green — Canadian activists can count on the fact that all they need do is find more votes than their opponent to prevail. In North Africa and the Middle East, governments win when they find more bullets and bombs than their opponent. (I remember Uganda's opposition leader Kizza Besigye drily telling me in when I was in Kampala in 2007 how, in his country, there had never been a change of government without bombs and feeling rather lucky that we have never had anything like that in Canada.)
And one could argue that the effort, sacrifice and courage of the last 15 years from Layton, May, and Harper is not only greater than what Brigette displayed but greater than what she and her supporters even understand to be courageous.
Consider, in support of that point, Elizabeth May who, in 2006, left what we might call a relatively comfortable and secure job as the executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada to seek the leadership of The Green Party of Canada and then, having won that in what was a tricky political battle, she tried for a seat in November 2006 in Parliament by contesting, unsuccessfully, a byelection in the Ontario riding of London North Centre. Recognizing, quite rightly, that she was her party's best hope for its first elected seat in Parliament, she aimed herself at the riding of Central Nova in the 2008 general election but failed to unseat Conservative Peter MacKay. In what many saw as her last chance as leader, she ran against another cabinet minister — Gary Lunn — at the other end of the country in the 2011 general election and this time, in Saanich-Gulf Islands, she won.
It has taken May more than five years, plenty of difficult politicking within her own party, and millions of dollars donated by Green Party members but they finally have their first elected member of Parliament. May, I'm certain, wishes to “Stop Harper” and bring about the kind of change she and her supporters believe in but they did not do it by standing up in the Senate during a Throne Speech and naively believing that a “Stop Harper” sign would make one bit of difference. No: May and her supporters, who are certainly as motivated as young Brigette, devoted themselves to the difficult work of organizing themselves, raising money, reaching out to their neighbours and generally availing themselves of the very democratic process that is unavailable to the millions protesting in the Arab Spring.
As for the current prime minister, it took him some time, apparently, to understand that doing the hard work of getting elected as an MP was the best way to bring about the kind of change he was seeking. Stephen Harper did get elected in 1993 but then, apparently like Brigette, was unhappy with the pace of political change and so he quit the Commons and joined the National Citizens Coalition, a group which, if you think about it, takes a professional approach to doing what Brigette did: Putting up as many signs as possible that say “Stop” to whatever it is the NCC disagrees with. Stephen Harper led this group once and, during his leadership, argued that laws restricting the time and place where the NCC could put up the equivalent of Brigette's signs were unconstitutional. I wish the NCC, the CCPA, the Council of Canadians, the CFIB and all other such groups all the success in the world but, at the end of the day, they are not necessarily agents of change.
I suspect that, at some point, Stephen Harper came to the conclusion that the foot-stomping he was leading at the National Citizens Coalition was not going to bring about political change. Political change happens in our democracy when one has more seats in the House of Commons than the other other guy or gal.
And so, Stephen Harper returned to Parliament: He fought to win the leadership of the Canadian Alliance; he fought to unite the right under the banner of the new Conservative Party of Canada; he fought to win the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. As leader, he fought federal elections in 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2011. He is three-for-four when it comes to federal elections as leader of his party, losing one to Paul Martin; winning two minorities, and then, last month, winning a majority government.
Brigette DePape may despise Stephen Harper's politics but showing up in the Senate — or anywhere else in Canada — with a sign that says “Stop Harper” and issuing a press release after the fact is so not going to change things, one feels pity for her and her supporters for, if this is how they believe change will happen, they will never know it.
Change, in the wonderful democracy we have, comes with winning more seats in the House of Commons, more seats in the provincial legislature, more seats on city council, more seats on the local library board — than those with whom you disagree. The experience and success of the politically disparate careers of Layton, May, and Harper are testaments to the commitment of the long, dreary, difficult work that is politics.
Bang on. Excellent analysis. Calling for a Canadian version of an Arab Spring? Really? Because, you know, what kind of oppression can has Ms. DePape experienced outside of losing her Internet connection. She can't even conceive in her wildest dreams the kind of decades-old oppression that forced Arabs to take action.
If it wasn't so pathetic an act on her part, it would be almost comedic.
I completely disagree. The point miss DePape brought forward is the absurdity of the very electoral system which you advise her to follow, a system which let politicians and parties win total control with less than a majority of the votes.
You said it right: in our Canadian democracy and its Westminster system, the goal is “winning more seats”. However, those seats cannot be won democratically.
Voters are not won by painful hard-work, as you claim. On the contrary, informed voters always vote the same way. It is the uninformed, undecided masses, influenced by stunts like that of Brigette DePape's, that decide of the outcome of elections in Canada.
As such, I salute her attention call. She did with convictions what parties and interest groups need money and intrigue to do; appeal to Canadians, and make them react, instead of staying in their familiar and comfortable apathy, which Harper turned to his advantage by calling for an end to “pointless elections”.
If someone is undemocratic and does not understand what is the true will of the people, it is not miss DePape, it is Stephen Harper.
As a former parliamentary page (in the House of Commons), I felt completely betrayed Miss DePape's protest.
In order to serve Parliament as a page, one swears an oath to uphold and serve the dignity of Parliament. She swore to serve Parliament in a non-partisan and impartial manner. With her protest, Miss DePape has now betrayed the very Parliament that she swore to serve.
When you put on that uniform, you are representing the institution of parliament itself. It is a privilege and an honour, and if she wasn't willing to live up to the trust that was placed in her she should have resigned her position.
There is a place for protest in our political system, but sullying and dishonouring the reputation of our parliamentary page programs is not the way to participate in it. As a result, Parliamentarians will start distrusting the pages, ensuring none are nearby when they have a politically sensitive conversation, and refusing to trust them to deliver notes and letters to other Parliamentarians.
I have always been so proud of the role that pages play in our political system, and it was an immense honour to have been selected as a page. Representing our Parliament in a neutral and non-partisan manner is a vital requirement for pages.
I am ashamed that another page could do such a thing to dishonour the office of a Parliamentary page. She has let down all former and current pages in Canada.
Wow, you don't have much respect for Canada, do you? Our democracy has worked the same way for over a hundred years, and it's worked pretty well for us, I'd say. Just because your side wants to change the rules in their favour, does not make our system “undemocratic”. And I suspect that most Canadians are quite well informed as to the things that matter to them. Of course, these might not be the same things that matter to you, but we each get to cast one vote. I think you need to get over yourself and stop thinking that you're smarter than everybody else, and accept the results of the election.
Well said.
Akin puts forward a cogent argument as to why DePape should be criticized not lauded as some in the media are doing.
However, I don't recall opposition leaders complaining about any of the Liberal majority governments over the past upteen years when that party never won a plurality of the votes. Yes they now want to change the system because it is no longer allowing them to win elections. They have a fierce, crafty politician in Stephen Harper and they don't know how to beat him.
First Past the Post has been in existence for many years and has served us well. PR has been proposed in Ontario and B.C. and has failed to get the required support. So the anti Harper crowd needs to suck it up. Their day will come but probably not for another ten years.
Harper played by the rules, won the election and was granted a majority government. He has the right to implement his policies. Canadians will decide in four years time if they agree with his direction and management of the country. That is how it should be.
I don't think you're wrong in the assessment that politics is hard work, but I do think you misunderstand her intentions. She's not a college dropout who hangs out in fair trade coffee houses lamenting how the man is out to get her. She just graduated with a degree in international development from UofO, obviously with good enough marks to land her a page gig, which she kept for a year, and she wrote a one critically acclaimed short play which she's performed at a variety of Fringe Festivals.
I think that much of the finger wagging that has been pointed at here today is actually facing in the wrong direction. She dropped a little bait and the media pounced on it. DePape is either really, really lucky – or she is much more intelligent and media savvy than she's being given credit for and given her CV, however short at the moment, I'm willing to be that it's not entirely luck.
Consider too that some of us don't like political parties at all. What if we could have just Independent MPs? No partisan B.S. to hold up baubles to the media for examination while corruption is taking place in the backrooms of Political Parties and their lobbyist friends?
Wouldn't that be a good start for quick change? Our institutions including our political parties have lost so much respect that it will take a revolution to rebuild them. DePage hopefully will be one of the new generation of Canadian reconstruction. She has this old ladies support.
Why is it partisan to be a whistleblower? If you think your country is in danger then partisanship should not even be your concern nor decorum, nor loyalty to what has been shown to be something that does not deserve your trust?
Person integrity is the one thing most lacking in Canadian citizens today. It's time we took back our governing of ourselves from political parties that have shown they are not trustworthy with our tax dollars our laws nor the best interests of the people of this country through their allegiance with corporate lobbyists and foreign intervention.
Harper will be the catalyst for a Canadian Revolution and DePage is the example for CIVIL disobedience.
Harper and his followers will always be Canada's UnNatural party. They will never have the cooperation of the feared and dreaded “Coalition”. The reason people have allowed the Liberals to be the Natural governing party is because the 75% of us that are the “coalition” group get along. Harper is an outsider, always has been, always will be hence the UnNatural government of Canada. He hasn't won an election fairly yet. Cheated in 2006, prorogued and ran again even while in court over the illegal 2006 steal and has used millions of donated dollars to sear, create fear and loathing in order to sway voters. He hasn't got the “natural” Canadian values he tries to tell us he has.
“And one could argue that the effort, sacrifice and courage of the last 15 years from Layton, May, and Harper is not only greater than what Brigette displayed but greater than what she and her supporters even understand to be courageous.”
Most insightful single sentence I've ever seen you write, David. Very well said.
Thank you Sarah for your service in the House of Commons. You're right when saying it's an honour to be a page and I'm very disappointed with what Miss DePape did last week. She abused her position in order to make a partisan statement when she agreed to be non-partisan while wearing that uniform and I sincerely hope that her actions don't cause the consequences that you described.
By the standards created over the last five years by Stephen Harper's government, Brigette DePape did no wrong in her protest during the throne speech. Like with the use of omnibus bills, centralized power in the PMO, prorogation of the House of Commons at the prime minister's convenience — the whole gamut of sins against the traditions of parliament for which the Harper Government was ruled in contempt — this act of civil disobedience broke no laws, and therefore is a viable political tactic now in Ottawa.
If we accept that Stephen Harper has a strong mandate from the Canadian people in spite of the contempt-of-parliament charges, then by the same mandate anyone who wishes to speak out at any time has the right, and even the obligation to do so. Harper has shattered parliamentary tradition, and can't now hide behind the fragments of the shell.
Don't the pages have to take an oath? What happens to people who so flagrantly deny the oath they take in order to get the job. Isn't that biting the hand that feeds you?
While I may not agree with what she's done. Sometimes actions DO make a difference. What if Rosa Parks had sat at the back of the bus, for instance?
The risk with this kind of rhetoric is to assume that any kind of political activities, outside of the political scene, once the election is over, is of no use. Any young activist is always, by definition, in a hurry to change the world, but that doesn't imply that her gesture was a bad choice. If walking the street is acceptable, if planting a sign on a building is acceptable, why this particular gesture would not be acceptable?
Because we must have a respect for our institutions? Dangerous idea. Did we not learn, in childhood, that respect is not something that is given… but something that must me won?
Léo Fugazza, people like you make me laugh. If the electoral system that is in place does not produce a Liberal, left wing, government, then it must be the electoral system that is flawed. Furthermore, it is the evil Stephen Harper who has not only recognized the flaws, but has exploited them to his advantage, thus securing a majority government that he does not deserve!! We therefore need to immediately abandon our parliamentary democracy and take to the streets in violent protest – a Canadian “Arab” Spring, so the Evil Stephen Harper can publicly mutilate and kill left wing women and children protesters en-masse to make an example of them, just like he did to Brigette. – Her be-headed and mutilated body is hanging outside of parliament right now, isn’t it??
People like you and like Brigette just don’t get it. For you, democracy takes too long, and the work is too hard. Far easier to fantasize about having the violent protest, and slaughter that is occurring all over the middle east.
As a Western Canadian voter, the road to this majority government has been painstakingly slow. Western Canada has gotten the shaft from Ottawa, Ontario, and Quebec for years and years. Finally the Reform Party was born, and almost all of Western Canada voted in a block. But it was not enough. The party needed more appeal to all of Canada, not just the west – We needed more votes!! The Canadian Alliance was born. Immediately after a leader was elected (not appointed like Ignatieff), Cretien (exploiting the rules of Parliament) called a snap election to secure a five year extension to his majority government while the new party was weak. It was still not enough. The right finally united and after the second election, the Evil Stephen Harper eventually did get his first minority government. His first bill, ironically enough was to enact legislation to set fixed election dates for majority governments so no future majority government could abuse power in that manner again. Because of that legislation, the Liberal Party has a full four years to rebuild without the possibility of a snap election being called right after their 2013 leadership convention. I hope they do rebuild and find the right leader (I mean left leader) – oh – you know what I mean.
It has been a long road for the Evil Conservatives, but it takes time to sway public opinion. Fortunately we live in a peaceful democracy where power is transferred peacefully based on votes – not with bloodshed like in the Middle East. Ask the people being killed and mutilated in Syria and Libya which system they would prefer! I, along with many other Canadians, am looking forward to four PEACEFUL CANADIAN SUMMERS. Hopefully you and Brigett can sway enough support for your agenda in that time – remember, under our current system you really only need about 40% of the people to agree with you. Can you even get that, I wonder??
I couldn't agree with you less. Fact of the matter is, no one wants to hear what a young student has to say. Regardless of what their message is. Had Brigette done what many are suggesting – quit her job and THEN get out and make her stand on the steps of parliament hill, do you really think any one would listen? I have been involved in countless rallies and demonstrations that have been peaceful and respectful only to garner seconds of attention from the media. Yes, Brigette saw an opportunity and took it. Would you say politicians don't do the same? Maybe the location in which she made her statement was not the most appropriate place for it but obeying the rules has RARELY resulted in necessary social change. Think Rosa Parks cared about obeying the rules and making sure people thought what she was doing appropriate? No. What about women who have had to fight for the right to be recognized as people;not property, and then for the right to vote? I'm not saying Brigettes message is the same as what these brave civil disobedient's have fought for, the circumstances were OBVIOUSLY different. However it takes a brave person whose not afraid of the nasty things people have said about her and her action.
As for Elizabeth May, I feel as though you're taking her statement out of context. Yes she said what she did was innapropriate, but she recognizes the courageousness and the guts required to have carried through such an act.
It is not fair to call Brigette partisan. She has not come out and praised one party over another. Her message has been clear and simple the whole time. Stop the Harper government.
Please, stop drilling into your readers heads that democracy needs to be contained within polling stations, and left up to the “pros”. Countless politicians break their oaths on a regular basis. I'm not just talking about Harper either. Politicians are people. People break oaths. It happens. Get over it and move on. By devoting yourself to speaking out about her, you are still feeding into the frenzy that she has caused.
By the way, have you asked DePape if she has attended any council sessions or organized other movements before? She was previously employed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives and she wrote for them. Have you seen the video of her performance art at a TED X youth held in Ottawa. The reason DePape has not “put in her time” yet is because she is 21. She just graduated from university yesterday. She's accomplished a lot more in her short years than a lot of people I know. To discredit her for her age is really cheap.
As a 22 year old who has just graduated with a BA in political science with minors in history and human rights I stand by Brigette and will be sure to engage in civil disobedience to show my solidarity.
As a young 22 year old woman who HAS been to city council sessions, who HAS volunteered, organized, fundraised and done grunt work I am SICK AND TIRED of being told that I don't have the experience or the know how to make a difference, I will make sure that Brigette's act is not the only one that gets noticed by the mainstream media.
GO BRIGETTE GO!!!!!