Canada's Governor-General to resign amid scandal

[-:Undertaker:-]

Canada's Governor-General to resign amid scandal

Queen's representative in Canada who was nominated in 2017 by PM Justin Trudeau has resigned her post

https://www.cp24.com/news/gov-gen-ju...nure-1.5276698

OTTAWA - Gov. Gen. Julie Payette is resigning, a source with direct knowledge of her decision but not authorized to discuss it publicly confirms to The Canadian Press.

The news comes as the results of an investigation into allegations of a toxic workplace at Rideau Hall are expected to be released.

The Privy Council Office revealed last year that Quintet Consulting Corp. had been hired to conduct a third-party investigation into allegations of workplace harassment in the office of the Governor General.

That came after CBC reports alleged that Payette belittled and publicly humiliated employees, reducing some to tears and prompting some to quit.

That prompted the Privy Council Office to launch a workplace review, which Payette herself welcomed at the time with a statement that said she was “deeply concerned” about the allegations.

Payette, a former astronaut, was named to the position in 2017.

Her predecessor David Johnston had been selected by the previous Conservative government using an ad hoc committee that was later turned into an official panel on viceregal appointments.

But upon forming government in 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau abandoned that approach and moved the selection process inside his office.

Liberal Party Governor-General picks in Canada always seem to go badly.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Upon the resignation of the Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette, on Thursday. Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Wagner quietly became the ‘Administrator of the Government of Canada,’ & will fulfil the duties of the Governor General in the interim. #cdnpoli #cdncrown pic.twitter.com/bCEQwLJKUy

— Canadian Crown 🇨🇦 (@Canadian_Crown) January 23, 2021

Let's hope this time around PM Trudeau actually vets properly who he recommends before nominating to the Palace. Certainly seems to be the case across Commonwealth realms that former military picks work out best, thinking in recent years of David Johnston (Canada), Sir Jerry Mateparae (New Zealand), Sir Peter Cosgrove (Australia) and David Hurley (Australia). Those picked for more politically correct reasons usually can't keep their mouths shut and stray into politics, or indeed act as though they are the Head of State like one or two women Canadian Governor-Generals did in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Dame Patsy Reddy - current New Zealand GG since 2016 - has done really well in office. Not a single slip up, just got on with the role.