Spouses of the Prime Ministers of Canada

Unlike in the United States, the spouse of the Prime Minister of Canada does not have a prominent role. Although some commentators have tried to style prime ministers' wives as First Lady of Canada, this title is not officially recognized. Use of the term is likely based more on the pervasive influence of American media than on any historical notions of a defined public role for the Prime Minister's spouse.

Related Topics:
United States - Prime Minister of Canada

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While the American First Lady has a number of responsibilities and usually her own staff, the same is not true of the spouse of the Prime Minister. This is partially a reflection of the much smaller role of the personal lives of politicians in Canadian media and the fact that the Canadian PM is not the head of state (see also Canadian Monarchy; Governor General of Canada, Viceregal consorts of Canada).

Related Topics:
First Lady - Prime Minister - Canadian Monarchy - Governor General of Canada - Viceregal consorts of Canada

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Some Prime Ministers' spouses have attracted a great deal of attention, however. Margaret Trudeau, whom Pierre Trudeau married while in office, became a notable celebrity in her own right, especially during and after the couple's divorce. Maureen McTeer, spouse of Joe Clark, in turn, attracted controversy when she became the first spouse of a Prime Minister to retain her own surname after marriage. Mila Mulroney also rose to some notoriety due to her extravagant spending habits.

Related Topics:
Margaret Trudeau - Pierre Trudeau - Maureen McTeer - Joe Clark - Mila Mulroney

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At times, Prime Ministers' wives have used their public status to promote charitable causes--Mila Mulroney was a spokesperson for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other children's charities and Aline Chrétien was an active campaigner for literacy programs.

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Canada has also had two bachelor Prime Ministers - William Lyon Mackenzie King and R.B. Bennett.

Related Topics:
William Lyon Mackenzie King - R.B. Bennett

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Canada has also had one female Prime Minister, Kim Campbell. However, as she was not married during her term in office, there has never been a "husband of the Prime Minister" (although Campbell's first husband, Nathan Divinsky, did try to attract media attention in 1993 by billing himself as the ex-husband of the Prime Minister.)

Related Topics:
Kim Campbell - Nathan Divinsky - 1993

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RankNameDatesSpouse of

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1.Susan Agnes BernardJuly 1, 1867 - November 5, 1873Sir John A. Macdonald

Related Topics:
Susan Agnes Bernard - July 1 - 1867 - November 5 - 1873 - John A. Macdonald

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2.Jane SymNovember 7, 1873 - October 8, 1878Alexander Mackenzie

Related Topics:
Jane Sym - November 7 - 1873 - October 8 - 1878 - Alexander Mackenzie

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Susan Agnes BernardOctober 17, 1878 - June 6, 1891Sir John A. Macdonald

Related Topics:
Susan Agnes Bernard - October 17 - 1878 - June 6 - 1891 - John A. Macdonald

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3.Mary BethuneJune 16, 1891 - November 24, 1892Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott

Related Topics:
Mary Bethune - June 16 - 1891 - November 24 - 1892 - John Joseph Caldwell Abbott

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4.Annie AffleckDecember 5, 1892 - December 12, 1894Sir John Sparrow David Thompson

Related Topics:
Annie Affleck - December 5 - 1892 - December 12 - 1894 - John Sparrow David Thompson

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5.Harriet MooreDecember 21, 1894 - April 27, 1896Sir Mackenzie Bowell

Related Topics:
Harriet Moore - December 21 - 1894 - April 27 - 1896 - Mackenzie Bowell

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6.Frances MorseMay 1, 1896 - July 8, 1896Sir Charles Tupper

Related Topics:
Frances Morse - May 1 - 1896 - July 8 - Charles Tupper

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7.Zoe LafontaineJuly 11, 1896 - October 7, 1911Sir Wilfrid Laurier

Related Topics:
Zoe Lafontaine - July 11 - 1896 - October 7 - 1911 - Wilfrid Laurier

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8.Laura BondOctober 10, 1911 - July 10, 1920Sir Robert Laird Borden

Related Topics:
Laura Bond - October 10 - 1911 - July 10 - 1920 - Robert Laird Borden

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9.Isabel J. CoxJuly 10, 1920 - December 29, 1921Arthur Meighen

Related Topics:
Isabel J. Cox - July 10 - 1920 - December 29 - 1921 - Arthur Meighen

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Isabel J. CoxJune 29, 1926 - September 25, 1926Arthur Meighen

Related Topics:
Isabel J. Cox - June 29 - 1926 - September 25 - Arthur Meighen

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10.Jeanne RenaultNovember 15, 1948 - June 21, 1957Louis Stephen St. Laurent

Related Topics:
Jeanne Renault - November 15 - 1948 - June 21 - 1957 - Louis Stephen St. Laurent

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11.Olive PalmerJune 21, 1957 - April 22, 1963John George Diefenbaker

Related Topics:
Olive Palmer - June 21 - 1957 - April 22 - 1963 - John George Diefenbaker

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12.Maryon MoodyApril 22, 1963 - April 20, 1968Lester Bowles Pearson

Related Topics:
Maryon Moody - April 22 - 1963 - April 20 - 1968 - Lester Bowles Pearson

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13.Margaret SinclairMarch 4, 1971 - 1977*Pierre Trudeau

Related Topics:
Margaret Sinclair - March 4 - 1971 - 1977 - Pierre Trudeau

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14.Maureen McTeerJune 4, 1979 - March 2, 1980Joe Clark

Related Topics:
Maureen McTeer - June 4 - 1979 - March 2 - 1980 - Joe Clark

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15.Geills McCrae KilgourJune 30, 1984 - September 17, 1984John Napier Turner

Related Topics:
Geills McCrae Kilgour - June 30 - 1984 - September 17 - John Napier Turner

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16.Mila PivnickiSeptember 17, 1984 - June 25, 1993Brian Mulroney

Related Topics:
Mila Pivnicki - September 17 - 1984 - June 25 - 1993 - Brian Mulroney

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17.Aline ChainéNovember 4, 1993 - December 12, 2003Jean Chrétien

Related Topics:
Aline Chainé - November 4 - 1993 - December 12 - 2003 - Jean Chrétien

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18.Sheila Ann CowanDecember 12, 2003 -Paul Martin

Related Topics:
Sheila Ann Cowan - December 12 - 2003 - Paul Martin

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(*)The Trudeaus separated in 1977 but did not obtain a divorce until 1984.

Related Topics:
1977 - 1984

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See also: Children of the Prime Ministers of Canada.

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