Sophie Gregoire Trudeau has received about two dozen significant gifts since the fall of 2015, federal disclosures show.
The items included three necklaces, earrings, a women’s Grand Seiko watch, several coats, jackets, five pairs of shoes, a quantity of cosmetics and a “unique hand-crafted hat” presented in April on a visit to Saskatoon.
WATCH: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on a mission to improve ties with China, on his first official visit to the country as PM along with his wife and children.
Sophie Trudeau has sought much more of a public role than previous prime ministers’ wives, who lived more privately. (Canada has never had a prime minister’s husband; Kim Campbell was single during her brief tenure as prime minister in 1993.)
The Trudeaus, along with one of their children, began a week-long state visit to China on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Sophie Grégoire Trudeau comes under fire for accepting free clothing
Sophie Trudeau’s role is a departure from tradition in Canada, though very similar to those played by first ladies in the United States. In the spring, her request for a taxpayer-funded two-person staff sparked controversy. Sophie Trudeau was quoted as saying that she was responding to the public’s demand for her time and attention.
In July, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that Sophie Trudeau would follow the same rules around gifts as cabinet members – declaring gifts worth over $200, and turning those worth more than $1,000 over to the federal government.
- What is a halal mortgage? How interest-free home financing works in Canada
- Capital gains changes are ‘really fair,’ Freeland says, as doctors cry foul
- Budget 2024 failed to spark ‘political reboot’ for Liberals, polling suggests
- Peel police chief met Sri Lankan officer a court says ‘participated’ in torture
The lists of gifts are posted on the federal Ethics Commissioner’s site.
The most recent batch of disclosures, published on August 18, include:
- Pearl necklace presented in a H.R.Y. Co. Canada box
- Anne-Marie Chagnon necklace, “Two A” necklace and statement piece
- Two wool coats
- Mikimoto Sterling Silver single pearl necklace
- “Unique hand crafted hat”
- Mikimoto Cosmetics
- Imabari towel set and Tatamo yoga mat
- Wool blazer with grey embroidery
- Handcrafted one-of-kind silver feather cuff
- Women’s Grand Seiko watch
READ MORE: Funniest things the Queen and Royal Family got last year
Gifts worth over $1,000 are sent to the National Capital Commission, which then has to figure out what to do with them. In the past, some were literally stored in the attic of 24 Sussex Drive.
Sophie Trudeau is also often loaned designer clothing. It’s a win-win – she gets a supply of new clothes for public events, and designers see it as a promotional opportunity. Loans do not have to be reported, said Margot Booth, a spokesperson for the federal ethics commissioner.
The practice of official gift-giving has taken place for many years. Former prime minister Stephen Harper was given no fewer than five guitars at various times during his term in office.
Justin Trudeau, so far, has only been given one.
Comments