Today's letters: How do Mary Simon's expenses compare to other governors general?

Thursday, July 20: Until we study them all, we can’t know if the current Governor General is spending more than past ones did, says one reader. You can write to us too at [email protected]

Published Jul 20, 2023 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 1 minute read

Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon: How does her spending compare to that of her predecessors? Photo by Sebastian Gollnow /AP

How do Simon’s expenses compare?

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Since Gov.-Gen Mary Simon took office, Postmedia has been diligent in tracking the expenses associated with the trips she has taken in fulfilling her duties. Whether or not these expenses are reasonable or profligate can only be determined once a study has been done to compare them to what previous governors general have racked up.

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Until such a comparative analysis is carried out, it would be unwise to draw any conclusions about what this Governor General is costing the Canadian taxpayer.

Douglas Parker, Ottawa

Don’t be so narrow-minded

Recent articles about travel costs for the Governor General are a disservice to the incumbent and represent a narrow view of her role.

The Governor General travels at the request of the government, and arrangements are made by Global Affairs Canada. Itineraries are complex, involve a number of staff and also require sufficient security measures. Using Google Maps and suggesting that the Governor General can simply hail a cab to each event is naïve and inappropriate.

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As well, if anyone knows anything about Iceland, one knows how expensive it is; for example, an ordinary taxi ride from the airport to downtown Reykjavik costs more than $200. What would Postmedia and The Canadian Taxpayers Association prefer? Mary Simon on a tandem bicycle with her secretary steering whilst the Governor General shouts out directions from her tablet?

Mary Simon represents Canada and Canadians on her travels and serves with dignity, grace and diplomacy. We are lucky to have someone of her quality as Governor General.

Eileen Bertolo, Orléans