Does Harpers taxpayer funded stylist help him exfoliate?
How much does former CBC makeup artist get paid to advise PM on image?
Mr. Speaker, the
Prime Minister’s fashion consultant travels with him around the world at the taxpayers’ expense. Really. Is it hard to choose the right Conservative blue suit? Did the
Prime Minister have trouble sleeping at night, wondering whether he should wear light blue or dark blue socks? To my mind, ordinary people have other priorities.
Can the Prime Minister tell us who pays for his new fashion consultant and how much it costs?
Hon. Peter Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, the
Prime Minister maintains a tour staff, as do all prime ministers. In fact, I believe members will find that this
Prime Minister has a smaller tour staff than all his Liberal predecessors.
Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I think a lot of ordinary Canadians are asking why the
Prime Minister even needs a stylist.
I am certain that after the disastrous cowboy photo op, prime ministerial lint and stray hairs are at the top of the PMO agenda. Perhaps a one-time consultation but a travelling assistant devoted to tie choices?
The Prime Minister is wasting taxpayer dollars on his own ego. In fact, it was the Prime Minister who harangued his former colleague, Preston Manning, about a $31,000 clothing allowance.
What has changed? Why is it okay now when it was not okay a few years ago?
Hon. Peter Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, a lot of ordinary Canadians are wondering what I am doing answering questions about style and fashion. However, I can assure the House that the
Prime Minister pays for all his clothes, unlike some of his predecessors.
It turns out that taxpayers are picking up the tab for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's personal primper.
After two days of ducking media and opposition questions, the Conservatives finally revealed Wednesday that Michelle Muntean is on Harper's government staff. But the revelation raises two more big questions: How much is she being paid? And why is there no government record of her employment.
Harper has been travelling with his personal image adviser for major domestic and international events - most recently at ceremonies at Vimy Ridge in France last week. Muntean helps him perfect his look, including managing his wardrobe and general grooming.
News that Harper uses a style maven had the opposition both frothing and laughing.
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