Ceremonial leader of Canada resigns as report shows she tormented staff
The symbolic leader of Canada’s government resigned Thursday after an official investigation found she had harassed her staff.
Julie Payette was Governor General of Canada since 2017, following her appointment by Queen Elizabeth II on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In July 2020, the CBC reported that Payette, along with longtime friend and secretary Assunta di Lorenzo, repeatedly berated, mistreated and bullied staff members.
“This has gone from being one of the most collegial and enjoyable work environments for many of the staff to being a house of horrors,” one of several sources told the CBC. “It’s bullying and harassment at its worst.”
That report triggered an independent investigation, which was recently completed. The report was so damning that Payette, 57, was given two options: resign or be fired, according to Global News Canada.
“It is with sureness and humility, but also with pride over what was accomplished during my tenure as Governor General and in my service to the country for the past 28 years, that I have submitted my resignation,” Payette said Thursday in a statement. Di Lorenzo also resigned.
Payette became Canada’s 29th governor general after years working as an astronaut and scientist, including some time in the United States. No Canadian governor general had ever resigned before Thursday, researchers told Global News.
The governor general position is a vestige of British colonization of Canada, when a royally-appointed ruler governed Canada under the title. It’s now only a ceremonial role, albeit one that comes with an annual salary of nearly $300,000 Canadian dollars.
Richard Wagner, chief justice of Canada, will serve as interim governor general until a new person is appointed.
