Canadian taxpayers should not have to contribute towards
security costs for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, one of the country’s MPs has
said.
Harry and Meghan are currently on Vancouver Island preparing
to forge a new life with their eight-month-old son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor,
after stepping back from royal duties.
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It is unclear who will foot the bill for the family’s
security arrangements when they officially leave the monarchy in the spring. A
former Home Office minister warned the British public could face an “enormous
bill” while it has also been speculated a “cost-sharing” deal between the UK
and Canada could be agreed.
But such an arrangement would be opposed by Laurel Collins,
the MP for Victoria, where Harry and Meghan are staying. She said: “I hope that
they’re planning on covering their security costs.”
‘We’re prioritising making life affordable’
She added: “When it comes to the money our government
spends and taxpayer money it’s important that we put this into context and
think about our priorities.
“That we’re prioritising making life more affordable for
people, that we’re prioritising protecting our environment and that we’re
spending our tax dollars on the things that really matter to Canadians.”
Ms Collins added she wanted to focus on young families in
the area, who “might be struggling with the housing crisis or struggling with
affordability”.
“I want to make sure we are thinking about our
priorities,” she said.
Security for the royal family as a whole costs the taxpayer
in excess of an estimated £100m a year, but the actual figure is never
disclosed.
Harry and Meghan will earn their own money when they step
back fully from royal life. They had initially hoped for a dual role,
supporting the Queen, the Commonwealth and Harry’s military associations.
However, the idea was deemed unworkable.
The Prince of Wales will offer some private financial
support to Harry and Meghan but it is not known if this will come from his £21m
a year Duchy of Cornwall income or other private funds.
Harry joined Meghan and Archie in Canada on Monday night as
they prepare to live a more private life.
There appeared to be a subdued response to the new arrivals,
with one local business owner saying the people of Vancouver Island are a lot
more laid back than their British counterparts.
Vancouver Island, an area known for its outstanding natural
beauty, is off Canada’s west coast and is part of the province of British
Columbia.
On Tuesday the Sussexes issued a legal warning to the media
after various outlets published paparazzi shots of Meghan walking her dogs with
Archie.
The images of the duchess emerged on Monday morning and
showed her walking her two pets with her son in a baby sling in a park in
Vancouver.
But the pictures were reportedly taken by photographers
hiding in bushes with long-lens cameras.
After the images surfaced, the couple’s legal team at
Schillings sent a legal notice to the UK press, TV and photo agencies warning
against using them.