As both a taxpayer and a stay-at-home mother, I am upset with the Trudeaus on so many levels.
Not only is the prime minister clearly a hypocrite, but the fact that his wife (who seemingly does not hold a full-time job) requires not one, but two nannies is offensive no matter your political stripe.
Keep in mind that the Trudeaus only have three children -- ages eight, six and one. The older two children would presumably be in school most of the day, yet the Trudeaus still find it necessary to employ two nannies.
During the election campaign, Justin Trudeau attacked the Conservatives' Universal Child Care Benefit. He boasted about the fact that his family did not need the benefit and promised to give the money to charity instead.
Now, hard-working and struggling Canadians find out that taxpayers will be footing the bill for Justin and Sophie to employ these two nannies. No wonder the prime minister does not require the Universal Child Care Benefit. None of us would if we had the luxury of two nannies at our disposal (paid for by other people).
The fact that Trudeau wants to deny other Canadian families a meager child care benefit, while at the same time taking advantage of a much costlier benefit, speaks volumes about his ethics and honour.
As Canada's leader, Trudeau earns a staggering $334,800 annually. He also enjoys a rent-free home at Rideau Cottage, staffed with a chef, housekeeper, gardener and other members who help run the household. I don't begrudge him any of that.
What I do object to, vehemently, is paying for two nannies that should be compensated by the Trudeaus. Surely they can afford to pay their own childcare costs when Mr. Trudeau earns more than $300K and does not have to worry about pesky little bills like a mortgage.
The Trudeaus can decide to employ 10 nannies if they deem it necessary, providing they pay for this extravagance out of pocket and not rely on the generosity of hard-working Canadians. (I would still object to this on a maternal level, but not a political level at least.)
Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau apparently does volunteer work as a spokesperson and became a certified yoga instructor in 2012. She will no doubt be busy attending certain functions as the spouse of Canada's prime minister. Surely there would be less uproar had the Trudeaus managed to make do with the services of a single nanny and if they saw fit to pay her using their own funds, like ordinary Canadians do on significantly lesser incomes.
It also begs the question as to how this supposed Liberal leader can possibly relate to the struggles of real Canadian families. Canadians who are forced to juggle the demands of rising home prices, skyrocketing hydro bills, job cuts and wage freezes. Canadians who can't possibly relate to a family whose biggest child care dilemma is which nanny they should bring to the latest gala.
The fact that Trudeau wants to deny other Canadian families a meager child care benefit, while at the same time taking advantage of a much costlier benefit, speaks volumes about his ethics and honour.
He may be earning a high salary, but ethically, he is bankrupt.
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Lydia Lovric is a former writer and broadcaster, turned stay-at-home mom.
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