Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had to wait 2 extra years to appoint a governor general.
Turns out Trudeau's selection — Julie Payette — was a distraction: an outside review showed a considerable toxic work environment. Payette also had concerns over the lack of privacy, requiring expensive updates to Rideau Hall, home of the governor general.
Payette and her secretary, Assunta di Lorenzo, have resigned based on the results from the workplace review.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper extended the term of Governor General David Johnston by 2 years in 2015. The move was designed to keep a smooth transition so close to the 2015 federal election. The move in reality was designed to prevent his successor from appointing a governor general right away.
Justin Trudeau had to wait until 2017 to select former astronaut Julie Payette, who seemed to be an ideal candidate: scientist, Francophone, speaks multiple languages.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Richard Wagner will serve as the acting governor general.
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Allegations included tantrums in the office and on foreign trips as well as openly criticizing people's work to the point where they were reduced to tears.
There was a lot of criticism this summer over a lack of investigation into past workplace issues with Payette that would have produced red flags.
The Payette resignation is unprecedented in the history of the governor general in Canada.
Trudeau's selection for the new governor general theoretically has to meet with the approval of Queen Elizabeth II. Prime ministers in modern times have had virtual authority to select a governor general.
The governor general post is mostly ceremonial but has a number of priorities, including being in charge of the military, royal assent for all legislation, and the power to prorogue Parliament.
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We will welcome the new governor general and hope that person has a more boring tenure.
photo credit: CBC News
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