WINNIPEG – Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister is defending his wife for responding to emails and phone calls for official government business on his behalf calling her Manitoba’s best premier.

“You’re not questioning my wife’s integrity, surely?” a defensive Pallister asked the media. “Ester has never been responsible for a leak in correspondence with cabinet ministers and reviewing legal advice even though that responsibility technically belongs to me. She is the hardest working premier in a long time.

And I would know that because I see her working hard and making tough premier-decisions for me everyday.”

Pallister praised his partner for saving taxpayers money by never asking for a pay cheque or taking credit for her accomplishments while completing the tasks of the highest elected official in a Canadian province.

“She doesn’t even take a vacation and is always available in our Costa Rican home so I can spend more time with my family, except for my wife, because she’s still doing important cabinet stuff.”

Taking steps to rectify the breach of security protocol, Premier Pallister has told the media that his wife has created a new, secure Premier email account at brianandesterpallister@mymts.net.

“Just like the old saying; behind every good man, there’s a great woman to do his job that he’s being paid to do.”