Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland drew a sharp distinction between her support for the office of the Governor General and its current occupant, Julie Payette, in the wake of reporting by CBC News showing unusual spending to meet Payette's demands for privacy.
Payette is also under fire over claims she's created a toxic work environment and a culture of fear at Rideau Hall. Seventeen sources told CBC News Payette and her second-in-command have verbally harassed workers to the point where waves of staff have left the office.
Asked twice on Friday by CBC's Tom Parry if her government had confidence in Payette, Freeland offered support for her office and the constitutional role it plays, but pointedly did not express explicit confidence in Payette.
"I think Canadians have a great respect for the office of the Governor General and I have that respect as well," said Freeland.
"But for this Governor General?" asked Parry.
Freeland responded: "The office of the Governor General plays a very important role in that system. And, I think like the overwhelming majority of Canadians, I have a great deal of respect for that office and for that role."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau selected Payette — a former astronaut, computer engineer, pilot, academic, musician and executive — to take on the viceregal role as the Queen's representative in Canada in October 2017. The selection has been fraught with controversy from the beginning, and Trudeau has been notably silent in offering any defence of her.
The National Post and Radio Canada also reported Payette's time at the Montreal Science Centre foreshadowed the issues to come at Rideau Hall raising questions about the Trudeau government's vetting process.
Trudeau has only said publicly his government is committed to ensuring federally regulated workplaces are harassment free. The Privy Council Office also launched an external, independent investigation last month into the workplace environment following CBC's report on the alleged harassment.
Although Payette's role is mostly ceremonial, it can be important during a minority government. Payette is bound by constitutional convention to follow the advice of the prime minister if the PM requests a dissolution or prorogation of Parliament, but she is empowered to dismiss a government that has been defeated on a vote of confidence if it refuses to step aside......More
