The Little Page That Could

Susan MacVittie

Brigette DePape interview why she quit page job at Canadian Parliament

Brigette DePape interview why she quit page job at Canadian ParliamentIn 2011, while a participant in the Canadian Senate Page Program, Brigette DePape silently held up a sign that said “Stop Harper!” during the Throne Speech in the Senate.
This action led to her prompt dismissal.

Suddenly, the quiet 21-year-old University of Ottawa student became a household name and represented what many Canadians were thinking.

In June, DePape visited Courtenay, BC where she moderated a panel for the event – Time For A Change: Public forum on the state of our democracy.
The Watershed Sentinel met with DePape to ask what motivated her to take such a risk and where it has led her.

 

What motivated you to act in Parliament that day?
I wanted to make a change in my community and I thought that would lead to becoming a politician. When I was working in Parliament as a page I got disillusioned and discouraged by what I was seeing in terms of the Harper government and their policies. Especially around First Nation issues and climate change.
I had gone to the G20 that summer in Toronto and had also been a part of Climate Shift and learned about the impacts of climate change on people in the global south. I was studying International Development, so that was a concern to me. I witnessed the Conservative Senate rejecting the climate change bill, which was one of our few hopes to have some action on climate change in Canada. That was a turning point for me. I realized that we needed to do something.
I didn’t know what to do. It’s not my personality to disobey authority. I’m from Winnipeg and we are a progressive family, but we still abide by the rules.
I knew the speech from the throne was on national television and it was an opportunity to get the word out to many people who were also feeling that we need a change and feel powerless. I wanted to say we are in this together, and it doesn’t have to be this way, and we can take action.

What was the reaction?
The reaction was really mixed. Some conservative MP’s were booing and some people were clapping. I got a sense of what the polarized reaction would be like over the next few weeks.
I feel grateful to be a part of this tradition of non-violent direct action and to be building on the work that came before me. It is a part of democracy

Were you worried about the impact on your future?
Yes, I was concerned. One of the hardest things was what my parents would think. I get many of my values from my parents and I love them a lot. My Dad was really concerned but he’s come around now.

What has happened over the last 4 years?
I graduated from the University of Ottawa and I have been active in social movements and I have learned a lot. I took part in the UN Youth Delegation to the climate negotiations with the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition.
I’ve been working with the Council of Canadians for a year as a campaigner for the Get Out the Youth Vote. We are collecting 10, 000 vote pledges in strategic ridings. I think that young people have incredible power and we can bring about change if we vote and are active in social movements. We’ve seen Occupy and Idle No More  – a lot were young people on the front lines and I’m inspired by that.
And we are seeing real changes such as the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada recommendations about the missing and murdered indigenous women. Five years ago that was not possible. And now the progressive parties are saying this is a priority. And that is because people mobilized. These changes come about because people put pressure on the government and make their voices heard.

The Youth Voters Pledge www.canadians/org/iwillvote

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Susan MacVittie is the managing editor of the Watershed Sentinel.

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