December 11, 1993, Lester Pearson’s wife, Maryon Pearson, famously remarked that behind every successful party leader stands a surprised woman. In my view, we Canadians do not appreciate the spouses of our Prime Ministers as we should, providing them only the barest of office and other supports while their partners are in high office. They are truly the unsung heroes of Canadian politics. So, that is a long way of marking the fact that today is the wedding anniversary of Stephen and Laureen Harper.  After her husband won the party leadership, Mrs. Harper went on to become the Conservative Party’s secret campaign weapon.  She also represented our country with grace and class overseas and brought the same to her duties from coast-to-coast-to-coast across Canada. As with so many other Prime Ministers, it is safe to say that Mr. Harper would not have become Canada’s leader without the support and counsel provided him by Mrs. Harper, a special lady I am proud and honoured to call a friend. So happy anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Harper.  And at the same time, let’s also pay tribute today to all the spouses of our PMs, past and present! Today, of course, is also Statute of Westminster Day in Canada, declared an official day of commemoration on Canada's calendar by the Government of Canada.  It marks the day, in 1931, when Canada officially became its own nation as the Statute, championed by our own Prime Minister R. B. Bennett at the Imperial Conference the year before, went into effect. This meant that Acts of the British Parliament no longer automatically applied to Canada.  One might argue that it was on Statute of Westminster Day that Canada truly became a nation.  Three of our Prime Ministers -- Bennett,  Sir Robert Borden and Mackenzie King -- all played important roles in taking Canada to the day. Some might be surprised to learn that the feds are mandated to fly the Union Jack, alongside our national flag, to mark this day.  Here's what the government advises to do each December 11 (excerpted from the Canadian Heritage Department's website):

"The anniversary of the establishment of the Statute of Westminster is celebrated each year on December 11. The Royal Union Flag, commonly known as the "Union Jack," where physical arrangements allow, is flown along with the National Flag on federal buildings, airports, military bases and other federal buildings and establishments within Canada, from sunrise to sunset, to mark this day.  Physical arrangements means the existence of at least two flag poles; the Canadian flag always takes precedence and is never replaced by the Union Jack.  Where only one pole exists, no special steps should be taken to erect an additional pole to fly the Union Jack for this special day."