In a detailed statement, Payette said she took the allegations seriously – although she did not formally apologize or admit to misconduct in the workplace.
“While no formal complaints or official grievances were made during my term of office, which would prompt an immediate detailed investigation as prescribed by law and the collective agreements that exist there, I still take these allegations very seriously,” Payette said. the statement said.
As first reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) last year, current and former government employees accuse Payette of creating a toxic workplace, harassing and bullying employees, and bringing some employees to tears.
In response, the Trudeau government hired an independent advisory firm to investigate the allegations. The report was completed earlier this week and submitted to the government, which led to Payette’s resignation.
“I strongly believe in the principles of natural justice, due process and the rule of law, and that these principles apply equally to all,” Payette wrote. “Nevertheless, I have come to the conclusion that a new governor-general must be appointed. Canadians deserve stability in these uncertain times.”
The Prime Minister of Canada announced his own statement on Thursday, saying he had received Payette’s resignation. Trudeau did not confirm any of the allegations made to Payette. In the brief statement, however, he did not thank her for her service.
“Every employee in the Government of Canada has the right to work in a safe and healthy environment, and we will always take this very seriously,” Trudeau said in a statement. “Today’s announcement provides an opportunity for new leadership at Rideau Hall to address workplace concerns raised by employees during the investigation.”
Trudeau said Canada’s chief justice will fulfill the governor’s duties on an interim basis until he makes a recommendation on the replacement of Queen Elizabeth.
If Payette had not agreed to resign in light of the workplace investigation, her dismissal could have caused a constitutional crisis in Canada, and the Queen would have required more formal involvement.
Government officials told CNN that the report provided by the independent investigators found that the allegations were consistent among employees and that the evidence of a toxic workplace was ‘strong’.
It is not clear whether the results of the workplace investigation will be made public.
Payette said in her resignation: ‘Everyone has the right to a healthy and safe working environment at all times and in all circumstances. It seems that this was not always the case at the office of the Secretary-General’s Secretary. Tensions have been rising at Rideau Hall for the past few months, and I’m sorry. ‘
Later in the statement, however, she added: “We all experience things differently, but we should always strive to do better and be attentive to each other’s perceptions.”
The Prime Minister of Canada has the task of recommending a candidate for Governor-General for appointment by Queen Elizabeth. In 2017, when he recommended Payette, Trudeau said she was “undeniably capable of this high office.”
But Canada’s opposition leader Erin O’Toole has accused the prime minister’s office of not approving Payette’s job. He said all political parties should now have a say in who replaces Payette.
“The governor general is the commander – in – chief of our military and has an important constitutional role,” O’Toole told CNN in a statement. “Given the problems with his last appointment and the minority parliament, the prime minister should consult opposition parties and re-establish the vice-regimes appointment committee.”