The Senate's so-called "rogue page" is standing up to criticism from both sides of the political divide following her silent protest during Friday's speech from the throne.
Brigette DePape, a 21-year-old graduate from the University of Ottawa, was fired from her job as a senate page after she held up a cardboard sign that read "Stop Harper" at the start of the speech.
She was removed from the upper chamber and arrested, but not charged.
"We need to challenge the assumption that democracy happens only once every four years," said DePape during an appearance on CTV's Question Period. "Real democracy happens in our everyday lives and in everyday actions."
Opposition leader Jack Layton called her actions "wrong" earlier on that same program, while Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has dismissed DePape as a "lefty kook."
DePape said she did not mean any disrespect against the Senate or her co-workers, "but at the same time I wanted to show that the Harper agenda is extremely disrespectful to Canadian values."
DePape said she has since received several job offers and is considering taking a position with the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Meanwhile, Oscar-winning documentarian Michael Moore has come out in support of DePape. The outspoken, left-leaning director of "Bowling for Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" posted one of the now-famous photos of the protest on his website and is calling on Canadians to support DePape.
