1 of 2 Trudeau nannies no longer employed on public dime
Order in council shows Marylou Trayvilla's employment terminated as of July 1, 2016
One of the two caregivers hired to look after the prime minister's three children is no longer working for the family.
An order in council dated June 1 and available online says that the appointment of Marylou Trayvilla will be terminated as of July 1, 2016.
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"Adjustments to the prime minister's household staff have been made," the prime minister's spokesman Olivier Duchesneau wrote to CBC News. "One of the two caregivers is no longer working at the residence."
"That caregiver will be replaced with a person hired directly by the prime minister and Ms. Grégoire Trudeau," he said, adding that the status of the other caregiver remains unchanged.
No reason was given for the termination of the one caregiver's employment. The change means that there will be one less person among the official staff at the residence.
Trayvilla was employed as a special assistant at the prime minister's residence, designated as part of the household staff responsible for looking after Sophie and Justin Trudeau's three children: Xavier, 8. Ella-Grace, 7 and Hadrien, 2.
Her official employment began when Trudeau was sworn in as prime minister last fall, but she had worked for the family for some time before then, the Ottawa Citizen reported last year. Trayvilla's duties included travelling with the family on official government business.
Her replacement will not be paid with public funds.
Trudeau was forced to defend using tax dollars to pay for the two caregivers late last year, as opposition MPs repeatedly asked him in the House of Commons why most Canadians are expected to pay for their own child care and noted Trudeau had attacked the Conservatives' Universal Child Care benefit because it went to higher-income Canadians.
Trudeau responded that his household budget was similar to his predecessors and had simply been shuffled to suit his young family.
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Grégoire Trudeau drew some recent criticism for suggesting she needed more staff to help her keep up with the demands of being the prime minister's wife, including responding to requests for public appearances. Grégoire Trudeau poked fun at the controversy Saturday night during an appearance at the annual Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner.
The family is living at Rideau Cottage, an official residence on the grounds of Rideau Hall, while renovations are underway at the prime minister's official residence at 24 Sussex Drive.