The sticking point for the Tory leader is that Trudeau campaigned on cancelling child-care benefits for wealthy families – like his own – who he said didn’t need the extra money to pay for child care.
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The two nannies hired by Justin Trudeau to work at his new residence were previously employed by his family to look after his children, a cost he is passing on to taxpayers now that he is prime minister.
Opposition parties have raised questions about why Canadians are footing the bill for Trudeau’s child care after he hammered the previous Conservative government for handing out benefits, such as a new universal child-care benefit, to wealthy families, including his own.
I think most fair minded Canadians agree.
Trudeau said government should help families who need a leg up, “not families like mine or Mr. Harper’s” who have money to burn. Section 7.1 of the Official Residence Act says cabinet may appoint “a steward or housekeeper and such other employees” deemed necessary for the management of the prime minister’s residence.
“Like all families of prime ministers, a small number of staff provide assistance”, she said in an e-mail.
“He will be adapting the staff complement to suit his family requirements, given that he is the proud father of three young children”, she in a statement. “It is an ongoing process and will be finalized in the coming days”, Purchase said in an email.
Aaron Wudrick, the federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, told The Canadian Press that if there is no extra cost, taxpayers shouldn’t concern themselves with the issue.
Being prime minister isn’t a blank cheque, but it is a privileged position, and I couldn’t care less that we’re supporting two child-care professionals along with the gardener.
And, now that he’s in office, taxpayers are most assuredly paying more than three grand a year for two nannies, at $11 to $20 an hour each, depending on whether they’re working a day or night shift. One was spotted at Trudeau’s swearing-in last month, and on his recent trip to the climate change summit in Paris.
“It’s not a reflection of their child care choice – every family has a different makeup, every family has to make decisions about their child care – but I think …”
Be Civil – It’s OK to have a difference in opinion but there’s no need to be a jerk. In fact I expect them to be there.
The interim leader insisted she isn’t passing any “judgment” on the Trudeaus, and how they choose to raise their children, rather it’s more a matter of respect for taxpayer funds.
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Executive Chairman of Cool Group of companies, Joe Issa, who has hosted new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Jamaica, in an interview urges him to become a strong Jamaican ally, but warns the country against becoming complacent. Often spending more time with children than their own parents could, she moulded the kids she worked with, giving them basic tools to handle their emotions, teaching them self-respect and responsibility, never mind joy and self-expression.
