How Much for Harper's Make-Up?

[jdobbin]

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national...bc54f3c&k=62240

When Stephen Harper travels, there's a trusted woman by his side making sure his suit is lint-free, his tie is on straight and his coif is in place.

No, not his wife Laureen. Michelle Muntean is the prime minister's image adviser. She rides the government plane with him around the world and to major domestic events.

Last week, she accompanied Harper to ceremonies at Vimy Ridge in France. In November, she made sure his look was just so when he met with Pacific Rim leaders in Vietnam - although the traditional dress-like ao dai that Harper was forced to wear in the closing photograph was out of her control.

Last summer, Muntean saw to it that the prime minister would be picture perfect for G8 meetings in St. Petersburg. She's expected to be part of Harper's public relations army in the next campaign too.

So who pays for her services?

Harper's director of communications, Sandra Buckler, refused to answer repeated questions about who picks up the tab - or even how much Muntean earns.

This used to be a big deal when Harper was back in the Reform part.

[Canuck E Stan]

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national...bc54f3c&k=62240

Slow news day Dobbin?

Gropping for anything in the news.

Rather disappointed, I didn't think you were the type of Liberal who stoops for making an issue of make-up.

[Martin Chriton]

How much does Dion pay for his English Tutor?

I dunno. Who cares?

[jdobbin]

Slow news day Dobbin?

Gropping for anything in the news.

Rather disappointed, I didn't think you were the type of Liberal who stoops for making an issue of make-up.

I'm making an issue of the cost if it is being borne by the taxpayer.

It used to be an issue for Harper as well. He made charges against Manning in public for spending party money. In this case, we don't even know if it is taxpayer money or not.

As a Reform MP, Harper publicly criticized then-leader Preston Manning for not divulging how much the party had paid for his wardrobe allowance. Manning eventually detailed the $31,000 he had received, but not before tensions had erupted in the party and caucus over the issue.

[jdobbin]

How much does Dion pay for his English Tutor?

I dunno. Who cares?

If Dion used taxpayers money for English lessons, you wouldn't care?

[Martin Chriton]

How much does Dion pay for his English Tutor?

I dunno. Who cares?

If Dion used taxpayers money for English lessons, you wouldn't care?

I would.. but I wouldn't go making unfounded accusations.

[geoffrey]

Actually, I'm sure he does use taxpayer money for it. I don't doubt that politicans get some kind of educational allowance to take courses and stuff?

If Dion begins to speak reasonable English, then perhaps thats not a poor decision.

[jdobbin]

I would.. but I wouldn't go making unfounded accusations.

Unfounded accusations about what?

[jdobbin]

Actually, I'm sure he does use taxpayer money for it. I don't doubt that politicans get some kind of educational allowance to take courses and stuff?

If Dion begins to speak reasonable English, then perhaps thats not a poor decision.

I remember some articles about lessons in January but I never heard who was paying for them. I can't recall if MPs have an allowance to learn the other official language.

[Martin Chriton]

I would.. but I wouldn't go making unfounded accusations.

Unfounded accusations about what?

About Harper using public funds with no proof?

[jdobbin]

About Harper using public funds with no proof?

I never accused him of that. I asked that it be disclosed who is paying for the tab. If it is the Tories, they can take it up with Harper. I'm sure they have forgotten that it was Harper who ripped Manning for a clothing allowance.

[Michael Bluth]

I remember some articles about lessons in January but I never heard who was paying for them. I can't recall if MPs have an allowance to learn the other official language.

They do.

[hiti]

"Does the prime minister have difficulty sleeping at night wondering whether he should wear the light blue socks or the dark blue ones?" New Democrat MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis asked in the House of Commons, to loud hoots and claps.

"Can the prime minister tell us who pays for his fashion adviser, and how much that costs?"

Liberal MP Garth Turner also took a shot at his former boss: "It's a legitimate question. I think it's an embarrassing one to him because he likes the cowboy image and not all cowboys wear powder."

LOLOL

So much for Steve accountability.

Webster should rewrite the definition for accountability or add a new word...

con-accountability; we demand accountability from everyone else but we will do what we want and hide it from view and if any of the potted plants say anything they will be severely punished and their names changed to Garth or Belinda.

[jdobbin]

It has been revealed that taxpayers are responsible for Harper's make-up artist.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...18?hub=Politics

OTTAWA -- 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.

What is her salary? Where is she listed as staff?

Harper would never have stood for this from Chretien or Martin. Never, ever.

[Fortunata]

Harper would never have stood for this from Chretien or Martin. Never, ever.

Not for a lot of things he himself presently does but he is more Georgie style, do as I tell you and never mind what I do. Steve thinks he is above everything and he shouldn't be questioned about anything. And the Stevie's think the Liberals were arrogant? Double standard is the name of their game it seems.

[cowtown]

It has been revealed that taxpayers are responsible for Harper's make-up artist.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...18?hub=Politics

OTTAWA -- 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.

What is her salary? Where is she listed as staff?

Harper would never have stood for this from Chretien or Martin. Never, ever.

This is a joke. The guy is the face of our Nation on the international scene. You want him winging it on his own?

[cybercoma]

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national...bc54f3c&k=62240

When Stephen Harper travels, there's a trusted woman by his side making sure his suit is lint-free, his tie is on straight and his coif is in place.

No, not his wife Laureen. Michelle Muntean is the prime minister's image adviser. She rides the government plane with him around the world and to major domestic events.

Last week, she accompanied Harper to ceremonies at Vimy Ridge in France. In November, she made sure his look was just so when he met with Pacific Rim leaders in Vietnam - although the traditional dress-like ao dai that Harper was forced to wear in the closing photograph was out of her control.

Last summer, Muntean saw to it that the prime minister would be picture perfect for G8 meetings in St. Petersburg. She's expected to be part of Harper's public relations army in the next campaign too.

So who pays for her services?

Harper's director of communications, Sandra Buckler, refused to answer repeated questions about who picks up the tab - or even how much Muntean earns.

This used to be a big deal when Harper was back in the Reform part.

I think that's a fair question. Who does pay for that crap? When I'm paying damn near 30% of my income between sales and income taxes, I want to know where my money goes.

These "image" consultants must have also worked for other politicians, like Paul Martin and Jean Chretien. Who paid for them in those days?

I'd love to know.

[Michael Bluth]

These "image" consultants must have also worked for other politicians, like Paul Martin and Jean Chretien. Who paid for them in those days?

I'd love to know.

Exactly. That's what the OP conveniently skipped over. Guaranteed he'll conveniently skip over trying to find the answer.

[cybercoma]

"Does the prime minister have difficulty sleeping at night wondering whether he should wear the light blue socks or the dark blue ones?" New Democrat MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis asked in the House of Commons, to loud hoots and claps.

"Can the prime minister tell us who pays for his fashion adviser, and how much that costs?"

Liberal MP Garth Turner also took a shot at his former boss: "It's a legitimate question. I think it's an embarrassing one to him because he likes the cowboy image and not all cowboys wear powder."

LOLOL

So much for Steve accountability.

Webster should rewrite the definition for accountability or add a new word...

con-accountability; we demand accountability from everyone else but we will do what we want and hide it from view and if any of the potted plants say anything they will be severely punished and their names changed to Garth or Belinda.

Yeah, it's pretty disgusting that the Conservatives have as little accountability as every other party. The Federal government is a joke.

[guyser]

Exactly. That's what the OP conveniently skipped over. Guaranteed he'll conveniently skip over trying to find the answer.

Apparently , according to the actual paper version of the Star, no they did not, Martin & Chretien. The online version is condensed.

[ScottSA]

I remember some articles about lessons in January but I never heard who was paying for them. I can't recall if MPs have an allowance to learn the other official language.

MPs can take any number of courses on the taxpayer's tab. So can their staff. The only money that changes hands is between government procurement and the company providing the lessons, so Dion is taking English lessons on the taxpayer's tab, and no doubt Harper took French lessons on the taxpayer's tab.

Back to the original makeup thing. What a tempest in a teapot. So what? What's the next big whoopee scandal, "Taxpayer's Pay for Harper's Nailclippers!"?

[ScottSA]

Exactly. That's what the OP conveniently skipped over. Guaranteed he'll conveniently skip over trying to find the answer.

Apparently , according to the actual paper version of the Star, no they did not, Martin & Chretien. The online version is condensed.

I sincerely doubt that is true.

[jdobbin]

This is a joke. The guy is the face of our Nation on the international scene. You want him winging it on his own?

I'd like him to comb his own hair. Or if he needs a stylist, have the party pay for it.

[Michael Bluth]

I'd like him to comb his own hair. Or if he needs a stylist, have the party pay for it.

What about the stylist employed by Chretien and Martin?

[jdobbin]

I think that's a fair question. Who does pay for that crap? When I'm paying damn near 30% of my income between sales and income taxes, I want to know where my money goes.

These "image" consultants must have also worked for other politicians, like Paul Martin and Jean Chretien. Who paid for them in those days?

I'd love to know.

Harper was free to ask as Opposition leader back then. He is also free to release that information now has prime minister.

I have no idea who paid for them. But then, I don't have the history that Harper does in the issue of who pays for image consultants. He has been against the party paying for them but apparently not the taxpayers.