Brigette DePape
Encyclopedia
Brigette DePape is a Canadian activist who came to national attention on June 3, 2011. While a participant of the Canadian Senate Page Program
, she stood in protest during the throne speech of the Government of Canada
in the Senate, silently holding up a sign that said, "Stop Harper
!" This action lead to her prompt dismissal because of the non-partisan nature of the page occupation and her disruption of Canada's Governor General in parliament.
In a subsequent interview, DePape said, "Harper's agenda is disastrous for this country and for my generation."
On June 26-27th 2010, DePape travelled to Toronto to protest at the G20 summit. She traveled to Toronto with a small group of activists in a van which the group painted with bright rainbow colours.
On June 5th, 2011 Brigette DePape was offered a job by Michael Moore
. DePape also stated that she has received job offers from the Public Service Alliance of Canada
(PSAC) and the Council of Canadians.
The Council of Canadians strongly praised DePape for her protest. Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow
stated that DePape "is adorable and brave and committed." Barlow also dismissed criticisms by a Liberal senator and Conservative minister Peter Kent that this action was 'a breach of protocol' and a 'breach of security.'"
In an interview, Opposition Leader Jack Layton
disapproved of DePape's protest, stating that: “We have been pushing for decorum in the House of Commons. You don’t have decorum if people are standing up holding up signs in the middle of debates and solemn moments. … We encourage protests, it is part of a great long tradition of democracy. But it should be happening at the proper place and at the proper time.”
On June 8th, 2011 Brigette DePape announced the creation of a "Stop Harper Fund", the purpose of which is to support "organizations and individuals engaging in creative non-violent direct actions against the Harper government's agenda." The fund plans to include an advisory committee organized to direct funds to chosen organizations, and legal and fiscal governance to ensure the fund spends donations in accordance with its stated mandate.
On September 26, 2011, DePape took part in a protest on Parliament Hill against Alberta oil sands development and TransCanada Corp.’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline
. DePape stated that she was happier being with the group of activists Monday than in the House and insisted they were on the verge of forcing change “for another possible Canada.” Among those who attended the protest were Green Party leader
Elizabeth May
and Maude Barlow
, chairwoman of the Council of Canadians.
On October 15, 2011, DePape was one of the co-facilitators of first general assembly of the Occupy Ottawa protest camp at Confederation Park.
festivals, as well as the TEDxYouthOttawa conference, North America’s first TEDx conference created for youth, by youth. As a result of the media interviewing her, DePape missed her convocation
ceremony
, at the University of Ottawa
.
Canadian Senate Page Program
Each year, 15 individuals are chosen from hundreds of youth through a national competition to work as a Page for the Senate of Canada. Pages are primarily responsible for assisting Senators and table officers throughout sittings of the Senate by fulfilling various requests as well as those of...
, she stood in protest during the throne speech of the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
in the Senate, silently holding up a sign that said, "Stop Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
!" This action lead to her prompt dismissal because of the non-partisan nature of the page occupation and her disruption of Canada's Governor General in parliament.
In a subsequent interview, DePape said, "Harper's agenda is disastrous for this country and for my generation."
On June 26-27th 2010, DePape travelled to Toronto to protest at the G20 summit. She traveled to Toronto with a small group of activists in a van which the group painted with bright rainbow colours.
On June 5th, 2011 Brigette DePape was offered a job by Michael Moore
Michael Moore
Michael Francis Moore is an American filmmaker, author, social critic and activist. He is the director and producer of Fahrenheit 9/11, which is the highest-grossing documentary of all time. His films Bowling for Columbine and Sicko also place in the top ten highest-grossing documentaries...
. DePape also stated that she has received job offers from the Public Service Alliance of Canada
Public Service Alliance of Canada
The Public Service Alliance of Canada is one of Canada’s largest national labour unions, with members in every province and territory. In fact, it is the biggest union in the Canadian Federal Public Sector...
(PSAC) and the Council of Canadians.
The Council of Canadians strongly praised DePape for her protest. Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow
Maude Barlow
Maude Victoria Barlow is a Canadian author and activist. She is the National Chairperson of The Council of Canadians, a citizens’ advocacy organization with members and chapters across Canada. She is also the co-founder of the , which works internationally for the human right to water...
stated that DePape "is adorable and brave and committed." Barlow also dismissed criticisms by a Liberal senator and Conservative minister Peter Kent that this action was 'a breach of protocol' and a 'breach of security.'"
In an interview, Opposition Leader Jack Layton
Jack Layton
John Gilbert "Jack" Layton, PC was a Canadian social democratic politician and the Leader of the Official Opposition. He was the leader of the New Democratic Party from 2003 to 2011, and previously sat on Toronto City Council, serving at times during that period as acting mayor and deputy mayor of...
disapproved of DePape's protest, stating that: “We have been pushing for decorum in the House of Commons. You don’t have decorum if people are standing up holding up signs in the middle of debates and solemn moments. … We encourage protests, it is part of a great long tradition of democracy. But it should be happening at the proper place and at the proper time.”
On June 8th, 2011 Brigette DePape announced the creation of a "Stop Harper Fund", the purpose of which is to support "organizations and individuals engaging in creative non-violent direct actions against the Harper government's agenda." The fund plans to include an advisory committee organized to direct funds to chosen organizations, and legal and fiscal governance to ensure the fund spends donations in accordance with its stated mandate.
On September 26, 2011, DePape took part in a protest on Parliament Hill against Alberta oil sands development and TransCanada Corp.’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline
Keystone Pipeline
The Keystone Pipeline System is a pipeline system to transport synthetic crude oil and diluted bitumen from the Athabasca Oil Sands in northeastern Alberta, Canada to multiple destinations in the United States, which include refineries in Illinois, Cushing oil distribution hub in Oklahoma, and...
. DePape stated that she was happier being with the group of activists Monday than in the House and insisted they were on the verge of forcing change “for another possible Canada.” Among those who attended the protest were Green Party leader
Green Party of Canada
The Green Party of Canada is a Canadian federal political party founded in 1983 with 10,000–12,000 registered members as of October 2008. The Greens advance a broad multi-issue political platform that reflects its core values of ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy and...
Elizabeth May
Elizabeth May
Elizabeth Evans May, OC, MP is an American-born Canadian Member of Parliament, environmentalist, writer, activist, lawyer, and the leader of the Green Party of Canada. She was the executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada from 1989 to 2006. She became a Canadian citizen in 1978.May's...
and Maude Barlow
Maude Barlow
Maude Victoria Barlow is a Canadian author and activist. She is the National Chairperson of The Council of Canadians, a citizens’ advocacy organization with members and chapters across Canada. She is also the co-founder of the , which works internationally for the human right to water...
, chairwoman of the Council of Canadians.
On October 15, 2011, DePape was one of the co-facilitators of first general assembly of the Occupy Ottawa protest camp at Confederation Park.
Theatre
DePape wrote the one-woman play She Rules with Iron Stix which she also performed in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Saskatoon at their respective fringe theatreFringe theatre
Fringe theatre is theatre that is not of the mainstream. The term comes from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which name comes from Robert Kemp, who described the unofficial companies performing at the same time as the second Edinburgh International Festival as a ‘fringe’, writing: ‘Round the fringe...
festivals, as well as the TEDxYouthOttawa conference, North America’s first TEDx conference created for youth, by youth. As a result of the media interviewing her, DePape missed her convocation
Convocation
A Convocation is a group of people formally assembled for a special purpose.- University use :....
ceremony
Ceremony
A ceremony is an event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion. The word may be of Etruscan origin.-Ceremonial occasions:A ceremony may mark a rite of passage in a human life, marking the significance of, for example:* birth...
, at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
.
External links
- Brigette DePape presentation at TEDxYouthOttawa, March 4, 2010.
- Un-equal access to opportunity between suburban and inner-city youth, June 24, 2010
- Protesting the G20: A Waste of Time?, July 20, 2010
- The CBC's Evan Solomon speaks with Brigette DePape about the incident on the Senate floor, June 3, 2011
- Brigette DePape's fund to support organizations in opposition to Stephen Haper's political agenda, June 9, 2011 Includes image of DePape being led from the Senate chamber holding her "Stop Harper" sign. Includes the image of DePape holding sign on chamber floor.