The long list of accusations against Payette includes outbursts of anger and the reduction of staff to tears.
“There has been tension at Rideau Hall over the past few months, and I’m sorry about that,” Payette said in a statement Thursday night. ‘I have come to the conclusion that a new governor-general should be appointed. Canadians deserve stability in these uncertain times. ”
The role of Governor-General: Although an apolitical and largely ceremonial role, the office of Governor-General is the oldest continuous institution of Canada. The GG, as the official is often known, serves as the Canadian representative of the British monarchy – in this case Queen Elizabeth II – and is responsible for ensuring that Canada has a Prime Minister and Government in place who have the confidence of Parliament. has. . The Governor – General is also Canada’s Commander – in – Chief.
Payette is the first governor-general to retire in modern Canadian history and her departure comes as the Trudeau Liberale hangs on to minority status in parliament.
Payette was a signature of Trudeau’s first term. She has faced a number of controversies from the moment she took on the role – and, as it turns out, in roles she previously held. The appointment is seen as a notable failure of the Trudeau government’s investigation process.
What happened: Earlier on Thursday, news broke that third-party investigators had compiled a “sharp” report – at a cost of almost C $ 90,000 – on claims of a toxic work environment pursued by Payette and her secretary Assunta Di Lorenzo. Some findings of the confidential report are expected to be released as early as this week, according to the Globe and Mail.
The unprecedented probe was launched by the federal government after dozens of former and current employees told newspapers that Payette had “belittled” and “shouted” at employees. Payette also allegedly threw ‘tantrums’ during trips abroad and humiliated staff in public to tears.
A source also told CBC News that Rideau Hall has worked from one of the nicest places in the federal government to a ‘house of horror’.
Payette, who was the first Canadian to serve at the International Space Station, was appointed in 2017 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. While the investigation was ongoing, he defended Payette and said in September that she was ‘excellent’ in her job and that he did not intend to ask her to step aside.
In her resignation statement, Payette was apologetic and said she would use her room to spend time with her father who is in poor health.
“We all experience things differently, but we should always try to do better and pay attention to each other’s perceptions,” she said.
Current list of controversies: Days after Payette was nominated to become governor-general, it emerged she was charged with second-degree assault in 2011 while living in Maryland. The charge, which according to Payette was ‘unfounded’, was subsequently erased. It was then revealed that Payette was involved in a fatal car accident involving a pedestrian in the same year, although the case was closed without charges after a police investigation.
Trudeau nevertheless defended Payette’s choice, saying at the time: ‘There are no issues that arose during the investigation process, which would be any reason to me. Payette for being anything but the extraordinary governor-general she will be. ”
Payette faced more criticism for delaying her move to the Governor – General’s official residence, and only after two years of continuous refurbishment to address privacy issues – at more than C $ 250,000.
Last year, CBC News reported that Trudeau’s office could not contact Payette’s former employees during the investigation process. According to the news office, Payette resigned from the Montreal Science Center in 2016 following complaints of employee abuse. She also left the Canadian Olympic Committee in 2017, the year she became governor-general, after two internal investigations alleged that her staff members verbally harassed her.
Trudeau’s answer: Trudeau issued a brief statement Thursday night in which he said Payette’s resignation provided an opportunity for new leadership at Rideau Hall to address the workplace that employees raised during the review. ‘
“Every employee in the Government of Canada has the right to work in a safe and healthy environment, and we will always take it very seriously,” he said.
Next steps: Chief Justice Richard Wagner of the Supreme Court of Canada has tentatively intervened to replace Payette. According to Trudeau’s office, Queen Elizabeth will eventually make a recommendation for permanent replacement.