Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s wife Laureen dismissed an activist’s concerns about missing and murdered aboriginal women, telling the student “that’s a great cause, perhaps another night.” Harper was in the midst of a speech introducing the “Just for Cats” Internet video festival Thursday night in Toronto when she was interrupted.

Lauren Harper, wife of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, arrives at the "Just for Cats" video gala at the TIFF Bell Lightbox cinema in Toronto. ( CTV NATIONAL NEWS )

“Raising awareness about cat welfare is a good look for your husband’s upcoming campaign strategy,” yelled out Hailey King. “Don’t you think supporting government action on missing and murdered indigenous women in this country would be a better look?” Harper, wearing cat ears, paused to address the 21-year-old King.

Article Continued Below

“We’re raising money for animals tonight. If you’d like to donate to animals, we’d love to take your money,” she said to lots of clapping, before suggesting dealing with the issue a different night: “tonight we’re here for homeless cats.” Harper fosters stray cats and volunteers for the Humane Society in Ottawa. King, whose previous activism includes work with shitharperdid.com, said she was then escorted out by security, despite paying for a ticket. TIFF Bell Lightbox cinema, where the event was held, did not return requests for comment. “We’re disappointed the individual chose to interrupt a charity event that had nothing to do with the cause she raised,” said a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Mrs. Harper’s response from last night (Thursday) stands for itself.” King told the Star Friday that she wasn’t expecting to have a full conversation with Harper, but found the response shocking.

Article Continued Below

“It’s how she said it, ‘I’ll take your money, if you want to donate we’re here for cats,’ just completely dismissing something that feels ways more important,” King said. The disruption wasn’t planned, King said, nor did she want to stage a full protest. She said she felt compelled to draw attention to the issue specifically with Harper after the Star obtained documents from the federal Conservatives and their plan to “leverage” Harper’s popularity as the prime minister’s wife ahead of the 2015 election. “She was talking about the love of cats, which I felt was not so important,” said King, a cat lover and owner. “There’ve been a number of vigils for aboriginal and indigenous women over the past few months and there just seems to be no government support, no action, no one even talking about it.” King isn’t too concerned with those critiquing her interruption, saying she’s more focused on building momentum for government support of aboriginal issues. In a release, the Native Youth Sexual Health Network, said the event is on par with the response families of missing and murdered Indigenous women have received. Last month the government rejected groups appealing for a national inquiry. A parliamentary report found that between 2004 and 2010 while aboriginal women make up only four per cent of Canada’s population, they make up at least eight per cent of its homicide victims.

Read more about: