OTTAWA – The woman who represented Queen Elizabeth as Canada’s official head of state, a prominent but mostly ceremonial role, resigned Thursday after a report submitted to the government sharply criticized her treatment of employees.
Julie Payette, whose title was governor-general, stepped down after months of media reports that she and a top adviser had belittled employees to tears and publicly humiliated them. In response, the government commissioned an independent investigation into allegations that it had created a toxic work environment, according to several Canadian news agencies.
“For the benefit of our country and of our democratic institutions, I have come to the conclusion that a new Governor-General should be appointed,” she said. Payette said in a statement late Thursday.
Mrs. Payette, a former astronaut, said in some news accounts that they had asked employees about the distance between celestial bodies. Several staff members in her office quit or left.
Me. Payette’s duties included signing all Canadian legislation and legislation as commander – in – chief of the military. A dual crew member of the Space Shuttle, a former electrical engineer and a skilled fever soprano. She attracted extraordinary attention during her three-year tenure.
But little of it was positive.
The criticism of me. Payette went beyond the way she treated her employees. Questions were asked early on about the interest of me. Payette in the post, given her frequent absence from both official duties and the capital Ottawa.
She also got the blame for using an apolitical position to give a speech during a scientific conference in which she apparently disputed the validity of religious belief. And, like many public officials in Canada, she has sometimes been criticized for her use of public funds.
“She seems to have been poorly fit from the start,” said Barbara Messamore, a professor of history at Fraser Valley University in British Columbia. “The resignation was a good thing. It would have been better if it had happened a few months ago. ”
No governor-general has left office since Canada was convened by his confederation in 1867, said Robert Bothwell, a professor of Canadian history at the University of Toronto.
Until 1952, the Governor-General was sent from Britain and included Lord Stanley, who donated the first trophy still in his name, to the National Hockey League champion, and John Buchan, the 1st Baron Tweedsmuir and a novelist who was best known for ‘The 39 Steps. ”
Since then, the prime minister, who is the political head of government, has elected the governor-general, who is then officially appointed by the ruling British monarch.
Dominic LeBlanc, a cabinet member, said that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and me. Payette discussed the report Wednesday night.
“This report has had some disturbing conclusions,” he said. LeBlanc told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. “The talks have led the governor-general to conclude that she should resign.”
Me. Payette’s resignation comes at a time when work could affect the political empire.
Mr. Trudeau does not have a majority of the votes in the House of Commons. If, according to a tradition, his government is defeated by a trust case, he will have to go to the governor-general and ask that parliament be dissolved and an election convened.
An opposition party can make a rival request and ask that he be allowed to form a government, although such a move would be unusual.
Richard Wagner, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, will temporarily accept the governor – general’s duties.
Peter Donolo, who serves as director of communications for former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
Mr. Donolo has mr. Trudeau, a fellow Liberal, blamed him for growing the situation out of control and for inadequately controlling Payette.
“What a disaster that they could test for so long,” he said.