Our Prime Minister's Spouse

Women are slowly coming out of the shadows as more than just eye candy or charming hostesses and into positions of power in their own right.  It has been suggested, by Janice Wells of Newfoundland and Labrador's Telegram, that this should also include the spouses of our prime ministers.

Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau Needs a Title

I agree that the spouse of a prime minister should have a title as any successful person often requires the support and confidence they can only get from their spouse. A spouse gives a leader strength and council - they know the leader better than anyone (maybe even better than they know themselves) and aren't as susceptible to sycophantic actions as others. But the suggestion of "helpmate" is just plain weird...

My suggestion would be "Our Partner" to be used as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Our Partner Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau (or PM Trudeau and OP Grégoire-Trudeau).

I would choose this because it shows respect for their relationship as well as the fact that spouses are part of a public servant's life whether they choose to be or not... and as our prime minister knows far too well, so does the rest of the family.  So let's honour that partnership with the proper title.

In a mould of general practice for our current and future leaders, this opens up more possibilities than any existing title for spouses of world leaders.  It not only respects our current prime minister's spouse, but keeps open more possibilities for other woman prime ministers, any and all future LGBTQ members, and all Canadians who seek public office - a true stride towards full equality to back up the recent symbolic actions of #BankNOTEable women as well as the more active policy of Trudeau's first gender-balanced cabinet.

As for Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, herself, she has already worked tirelessly for many causes including eating disorders (Sheena's Place and BACA), La Maison Bleue for at-risk pregnancies, The Canadian Mental Health Association, Women Heart and Stroke, WaterCAN for clean water, and domestic violence.

Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau should be acknowledge as Canada's first OP - Our Partner in strength, equality, generosity, and peace.