In a detailed statement, Payette said he took the allegations seriously, though he did not apologize or admit any misconduct in the workplace.
“Although no official complaints or grievances were filed during my tenure, which would have immediately triggered a detailed investigation as required by current law and collective agreements, I continue to take these allegations very seriously,” he said. say Payette in the statement.
As first reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) last year, current and former government employees accused Payette of creating a toxic job, harassing and intimidating employees and reducing some employees to tears.
In response, the Trudeau government hired an independent consulting firm to investigate the allegations. The report was completed and presented to the government earlier this week and this prompted Payette’s resignation.
“I am a firm believer in the principles of natural justice, due process and the rule of law, and that these principles apply to everyone equally,” Payette wrote. “However, in terms of the integrity of my vice-government and for the good of our country and our democratic institutions, I have come to the conclusion that a new governor general should be appointed. Canadians deserve stability. in these uncertain times. “
The Canadian prime minister released his own statement on Thursday, saying he had received Payette’s resignation. Trudeau did not confirm any of the allegations filed with Payette. However, in the brief statement, he did not thank her for the service.
“All employees of the Government of Canada have the right to work in a healthy and safe environment, and we will always take it very seriously,” Trudeau said in a statement. “Today’s announcement provides an opportunity for new leadership at Rideau Hall to address workplace concerns raised by employees during the review.”
Trudeau said the Chief Justice of Canada will serve as governor on an interim basis until he makes a recommendation on a replacement for Queen Elizabeth.
Had Payette not agreed to resign in light of the job investigation, firing her could have triggered a constitutional crisis in Canada and demanded more formal involvement from the Queen.
Government officials told CNN that the report provided by independent investigators found the allegations to be consistent among employees and that evidence of a toxic workplace was “solid.”
It is unclear whether the results of the research in the workplace will be made public.
Payette said in his resignation statement that, “Everyone has the right to a healthy and safe working environment, at all times and under all circumstances. It seems that this was not always the case in the office of the governor general’s secretary. Tensions have been rising at Rideau Hall for the past few months and I am sorry for that.
However, later in the statement, he added: “We all experience things differently, but we must always try to do better and be attentive to the perceptions of others.”
The Canadian Prime Minister is tasked with recommending a candidate for governor general for the appointment of Queen Elizabeth. In 2017, when she recommended Payette, Trudeau said she was “undoubtedly qualified for this high position.”
But Canadian opposition leader Erin O’Toole accused the prime minister’s office of not thoroughly examining Payette for the job. He said now all political parties should have their say on who replaces Payette.
“The governor general is the commander-in-chief of our armed forces and has an important constitutional role,” O’Toole said in a statement to CNN. “Given the problems of his last appointment and the minority parliament, the prime minister should consult opposition parties and re-establish the viceroyalty appointments committee.”