Put aside any partisan feelings for a moment. Forget about the long-form census and the deficit and foreign policy and all of those other things that everyone’s opinions differ on and tell me: wasn’t it cool that the new Prime Minister walked up to Rideau Hall with his new cabinet, openly and happily, shaking hands and smiling at ordinary people, like a person who really wants to be in the job? Â
And what a cabinet. Diverse. Smart. A mix of newbies and veterans. When asked why it was important to divide the cabinet equally between men and women, Trudeau said simply, “Because it’s 2015.”
Reporter, you got served.
But there’s something he hasn’t mentioned that I think he needs to change. Although US newspapers refer to Sophie, Mrs. Trudeau, as our First Lady, that’s inaccurate. The Canadian Prime Minister’s wife doesn’t have an official title. She is the wife of the Prime Minister. She also doesn’t have an official role, although most women in that position have kept busy schedules and devoted lots of time to good works. When Bill Clinton was President of the US, Hillary took on health care and education. For Michelle Obama, it’s fitness. I don’t know what Sophie wants to do but she’s smart and she’s a former journalist. She’s well-spoken and supportive. True, she wasn’t elected. But surely she could be a benefit to the administration.
So that’s what I’m asking of our new Prime Minister. He has made sure women are well represented in his government. Now he needs to officially change the role of the PM’s wife. After all, she is judged and assessed during the election campaign. She’s part of the package. She ought to be, officially, more than a token at the PM’s side.
Does the PM’s wife or partner really need a title to be effective? Many of the PM’s wives over the years have played key functions and roles although not in an official capacity, but have done so extremely well behind the scenes. Beware for what you ask, Titles often come with obligations and accountabilities which you may not wish and once you have them, you’re stuck with them.
But that’s exactly my point. They have played significant roles and then when they’re introduced on the world stage someone may as well say, “and here comes the little lady!” Elected or not, she is a confidant of the man who runs our country and it’s naive to think that she’s not a significant part of the decision-makin gprocess. So give her a title, even if it is First Lady, I don’t really care. And show her the respect the role deserves.
I’m in no way against giving her/him an official title, however sadly it would likely require a constitutional change which is outside the PM’s power and authority and possibly why its never happened.
Good point Lisa !!
“Because it’s 2015.” What a ridiculous thing to say. That’s going to be Trudeau’s problem – always looking for the glib answer. It’s not the least bit important that 50% be women. It’s important that the most qualified be given the jobs. If that means 100% of his cabinet is female then I’m all for it.
In other news, Obama has officially put the brakes on the Keystone pipeline. How much do you think Trudeau’s decision to pull our bombers had on that? Just the first of many tit for tats, I’m afraid. IIt’s going to be a very expensive four years but it will be fun to watch.
See, that’s where we part company. I think it was a stupid question and it deserved a glib answer. There are more than 25 “most qualified” people for these particular jobs. So splitting it down the middle was the right thing to do.
Government has been full of old white men for way too long. Women make up half the country. We should be half the decision makers.
Keystone was long dead under Harper and it has nothing to do with Trudeau. The reason Calgary wanted it put on hold was because the Democrats had no interest in approving it and a new Republican government might. If you look back, you’ll see that stopping our involvement in the airstrikes has absolutely nothing to do with Keystone. It has been dead in the water for ages.
Absolutely nothing! It was doomed long before we had an election.