Julie Payette: Canada's Toxic Governor General

 Julie Payette is a questionable individual. With a sordid past. Involved in a motor vehicle accident, which resulted in the death of an individual. I suspect Ms Payette was intoxicated. Also, a domestic abuser. Had a man conducted himself in the manner Ms Payette did, HE would not have been appointed.  But, SHE was. Double Standards... (the application of different sets of principles for situations that are, in principle, the same, and is often used to describe an advantage that is given to one party over another)   In 2017 it was reported here: Julie Payette Should Not Be Governor General of Canada

First reason? As a Canadian woman, I want to state unequivocally, that Julie Payette should be held to the same standards a man would be held to if one had been nominated for this position.Secondly I am of the opinion, though it is claimed this position is “largely ceremonial”. It  isn’t.  Have Canadians forgotten the multiple prorogued governments granted by the so called ceremonial Governor- General   Julie Payette is very compromised making her unfit for this position.  Finally - I am of the opinion Julie Payette has only been nominated for this position due to her sex- Female.  Making her appointment blatantly sexist.  With consideration to her francophone status and popularity in Quebec.

Toxic Governor General Unsurprisingly Ms Payette has created a toxic work environment at Rideau Hall. Let's read the interesting facts of the matter

When pressed on the reports in the House of Commons, Trudeau did not respond directly to the allegations.

"Rideau Hall needs to look into this very, very carefully,” she said. “Rideau Hall needs to address the issue and my understanding is that they went out with a statement today.” In that statement, Rideau Hall said it "deeply regrets this reporting", which is in "stark contrast to the reality" of working at Payette’s offices. The statement also notes that it has not received any formal complaints.

Deeply regrets the reporting? Weasel wording.

Meanwhile, Adam Vaughan, a Liberal MP representing parts of downtown Toronto, also called for an investigation into the allegations at Rideau Hall. "The allegations are serious, and they deserve a serious response and a serious investigation,” he told The Canadian Press.

Payette took over as Governor General with a five-year term beginning in October 2017, but her tenure at the post has been marred by conflicts and complaints.

A 2019 survey of Rideau Hall staff showed employees had expressed concerns about their work environment. It shows 22 per cent felt they had been “the victim of harassment on the job” in the past year, and of those respondents, 74 per cent said they experienced harassment “by someone in authority over them.”

Payette addressed similar concerns in a 2018 interview with CTV National News Chief Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme.

"I don't pretend to be perfect,” Payette said at the time. “I started this job and I learned and I had missteps and those missteps I corrected and I will continue to do that because they'll come again. It's human nature."

Clearly and unsurprisingly Ms Payette has been a toxic GG since day 1.

When it comes to an investigation into the matter, it remains unclear whether Trudeau will intervene.

Philippe Lagasse, an associate professor of International Affairs at Carleton University, told CTV News than an investigation into Payette and Rideau Hall is tricky because she is one of the only employees in Canada who cannot be fired -- except by the Queen.

Trudeau and Payette

“Going to the Queen is a last resort, but not to dismiss that that power exists, it's the one lever that the prime minister has, both in terms of pressure and formal power to be able to deal with a Governor General who is unsuited to the position and refuses to leave," he said.

Lagasse also believes it’s in the best interest of the government to try to resolve the issue behind closed doors to avoid damage to the institution that is the office of the governor general. "Everybody's best option right now is to try to deal with the issue decisively but discreetly," he told The Canadian Press.

In other words, sweep the problem under the rug,

"You don't want to turn this into a confrontation between the prime minister and the Governor General, nor do you want to be in a situation where the prime minister feels that he either needs to pressure the Governor General to resign or ultimately advise the Queen to dismiss her.” 

There doesn't need to be a "confrontation." There is an issue. It needs to be dealt with. Payette should probably be dismissed. In fact, as stated in 2017, she should never have been appointed.