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Half of the April 24 instalment of 24/Seven features Laureen Harper’s activities, including leading a school group on a “behind-the-scenes” tour of Parliament Hill.

A Conservative party presentation on election strategy, leaked to The Toronto Star in February, included a section on how the party planned to “leverage Mrs. Harper” and launch a “With Mrs. Harper” video series. The state of that party strategy is unclear — former national director Dimitri Soudas resigned amid controversy this spring.

A friendly and gregarious figure, Laureen Harper is involved in numerous charities and sometimes convenes discussions or roundtables on public policy issues. The role of the spouse of the prime minister is not defined in Canada, unlike that of the U.S. First Lady which carries with it a separate office with numerous staff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qCkA3lcZok&list=PL3DmZ_MO1MKQUA1Jqsr8sp3EXg5rGJBWR&index=5

The PMO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Opposition parties and other observers say they do not begrudge Laureen Harper’s participation in public life, but complain that the videos smack of political propaganda for the Conservatives.

The Privy Council Office recently said that up to three public servants are involved in the “weekly publishing” of the video, as part of their regular duties. The filming, production and editing is left to political staff inside the PMO, the cost of which has not been divulged.

Jonathan Rose, an expert in political communications at Queen’s University, said a highlight reel of Mrs. Harper’s photo ops provides “meaningless nuggets of infotainment” to citizens.

“By virtue of this being a pure feel-good video, it doesn’t provide any assessment, it’s just propaganda. In that sense it doesn’t have a place unless it is paid for by the party,” said Mr. Rose.

The May 1 24/Seven video had 1,251 views on YouTube by Friday afternoon.

The Canadian Press