Today’s letters: Why not help prime ministers’ wives with good causes?

Wednesday, March 6: Other countries offer tangible backing for the important role these spouses play, one reader notes. You can write to us too, at [email protected]

Published Mar 06, 2024 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 2 minute read

Maureen McTeer (left) and Mila Mulroney at a reception in 2013 to promote the Shoebox Project for Shelters, a non-profit initiative for women in need. Photo by Caroline Phillips /Ottawa Citizen

Support the wives of prime ministers

Re: It’s time the Order of Canada stopped overlooking the wives of former prime ministers, March 4.

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An excellent case has been made by Catherine Clark to recognize the spouses of former prime ministers for their achievements, irrespective of their marital status. But it prompts a question: If we recognize these women’s accomplishments, should we not also support them?

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Being the spouse of a prime minister is not an easy role; in fact it is not an entirely official one. But the reality is that these people are in the public eye, and they do represent Canada at home and abroad. Why, then, does a G7 nation provide no support for them?

Other nations have Offices of the Spouse of the Prime Minister. The United States provides the First Lady with a litany of staff, but the spouse of Canada’s head of government is given nothing.

Some argue that their roles are not on par with that of the First Lady in the U.S. While this may or may not be true, the reality is that large expectations are placed on them. Providing staff and an official office would lessen the burden of the role and allow them to continue and increase the excellent and important work they do to champion causes.

Ian McKenzie, Ottawa

Mulroney: Payouts part of record too

Re: How I came to love former prime minister Brian Mulroney, Feb. 29.

Seeing the sad news of the passing of Brian Mulroney brought back memories of the good old days. At one time I thought he would probably be the best prime minister my generation would ever know, and possibly one of the best ever.

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However there was one small problem that emerged along the way: brown envelopes.

I know it’s not good to speak bad about the deceased but I have a very hard time getting by this. Unfortunately, in my eyes, there will always be questions but no answers.

D.J. Phillips, Gloucester

Mulroney memories are a mixed bag

The passing of former prime minister Brian Mulroney has brought a cavalcade of plaudits for his contributions to Canada, but it has to be remembered that his tenure as prime minister was also controversial.

His two failed attempts at reforming Canada’s Constitution have left us with the legacy of the Bloc Québécois in Parliament, for example.

While Mulroney enjoyed two consecutive majority governments during his time in office, he was certainly reviled when he left in 1993, with the result that his Conservative Party was reduced to two seats in the federal election that followed his departure.

Mulroney does deserve the plaudits for his positive achievements. For many, however, the memories will be mixed.

Alex Cullen, Ottawa

Costco’s lessons on preventing theft

Re: LCBO shoplifting spearheads increased calls for Ottawa police responses, Feb. 23.

Any LCBO I go to has a security guard, which doesn’t seem to be working. Instead of looking at customers’ ID on their way in (stupid idea), why don’t they check every customer’s receipt on their way out, like Costco does?

Lana Francis, Ottawa

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