The Governor General of Canada, The Queen’s viceregal representative in Canada, has stepped down from her post following a months-long investigation into the work environment at Rideau Hall.
The Right Honourable Julie Payette, who had served as Canada’s Governor General since October 2017, resigned from her position earlier Thursday, becoming the first in modern Canadian history to do so.
In a statement posted to The Governor General’s official website, Payette announced the news saying, “Everyone has a right to a healthy and safe work environment, at all times and under all circumstances. It appears this was not always the case at the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. Tensions have arisen at Rideau Hall over the past few months and for that, I am sorry.”
Payette had been the centre of a swirl of controversy as stories suggesting that Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s official residence, was a toxic work environment, and that her behaviour had followed her from job to job. A formal inquiry was launched by the Privy Council Office in July 2020.
“While no formal complaints or official grievances were made during my tenure, which would have immediately triggered a detailed investigation as prescribed by law and the collective agreements in place, I still take these allegations very seriously,” her statement continued.
One of Canada’s major newspapers, The Globe and Mail revealed that an inquiry into the work environment at The Governor General’s residence had been completed and revealed shocking allegations of poor and bullying behaviour on the part of The Governor General and her secretary, Assunta Di Lorenzo, who has also since stepped down.
Payette added in her statement that, “I have informed the Prime Minister of Canada of my decision. I wish him the best as he seeks an individual to recommend to Her Majesty as the next Governor General of Canada and I wish the best to my successor. I will remain at his or her disposal.”
The Governor General of Canada is appointed by The Queen at the recommendation of her Prime Minister. Because of this, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could not fire her, but could have asked The Queen to terminate her. Prime Minister Trudeau will soon begin the process of selecting a replacement and advising The Queen on the new appointment.
The Governor General has three main duties as viceregal representative of The Queen: they have the power to summon, prorogue and dissolve Parliament; they read the Speech from the Throne, which outlines the government’s program; and they give Royal Assent to make acts of Parliament law.
The Governor General of Canada also the Commander-in-Chief of Canada, and represents the military and the country both within the country and overseas. They host foreign dignitaries and undertake foreign visits as the representative of Canada.
Prime Minister Trudeau released his own statement following Payette’s resignation, saying, “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. Today’s announcement provides an opportunity for new leadership at Rideau Hall to address the workplace concerns raised by employees during the review.”
While the post is vacant, Chief Justice Richard Wagner of the Supreme Court of Canada, will act as administrator of the government. By virtue of his post, he is already Deputy Governor General.
