My wife is not a ‘rich doctor’

Re: The Government of Canada’s proposed tax changes and comments made by the prime minister about doctors during Question Period on Sept. 19 My wife and I are both from lower- middle- class families. We grew up in households that stressed hard work and education as a way to a fulfilling career and making a positive contribution to Canadian society. Everything you got was earned.

We funded our own way through university, with my wife going into $ 200,000 debt to achieve her dreams of helping young children. We are now fortunate to own a modest house in a good neighbourhood. We know we are lucky to be able to give our children what we did not have. We are not struggling like many Canadians are.

With the ability to incorporate, my wife has some benefits that other hardworking Canadians do not have. What many people might not realize, however, is that she does not have some of the benefits that many other Canadians enjoy — including MPs and public servants. She has no employer pension plan. Little maternity leave. No health or dental benefits. No sick days, no paid vacation. She works at least 70 hours a week — much of the time voluntary — and is still paying off her student debt many years into her career. The proposed tax changes will also disproportionately impact female doctors. For instance, given the importance of my wife’s job, I stayed home with our children. This may no longer be possible for many families since female doctors will not be able to pay their spouses dividends.

No, my wife is not a “rich doctor.” She eats, breathes and sleeps being a doctor. She trained for over 15 years to be ready. She is hard- working, highly educated, compassionate and charitable. She sacrifices time with her own children to care for those in need. She is devoted to making other Canadians’ lives better and to showing girls that one day they can become doctors, too.

The message the prime minister is sending to aspiring young girls and women is misguided. My wife and her colleagues across the country should be celebrated and encouraged, not vilified and penalized. Husband of an Ottawa doctor