23.52°C Vancouver

Jan 22, 2021 2:41 AM -

Julie Payette issues statement confirming resignation as Governor General

Share On
julie-payette-issues-statement-confirming-resignation-as-governor-general
Gov. Gen. Julie Payette gives a wave as she waits prior to delivering the throne speech in the Senate chamber in Ottawa on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Julie Payette has resigned as Governor General following an investigation into allegations of a toxic workplace at Rideau Hall.

She issued a statement apologizing for tensions in her office but did not take direct responsibility for creating such an atmosphere.

Says Payette, "We all experience things differently, but we should always strive to do better, and be attentive to one another's perceptions."

She also suggests the move was made for personal reasons, citing her father's declining health.

The allegations against Payette include that she belittled and publicly humiliated employees, reducing some to tears and prompting some to quit.

The governor general is the representative of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, and holds a mostly ceremonial position.

Julie Payette's full statement on her decision to resign posted on Twitter:

Everyone has a right to a healthy and safe work environment, at all times and under all circumstances. It appears this was not always the case at the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. Tensions have arisen at Rideau Hall over the past few months and for that, I am sorry.

While no formal complaints or official grievances were made during my tenure, which would have immediately triggered a detailed investigation as prescribed by law and the collective agreements in place, I still take these allegations very seriously. Not only did I welcome a review of the work climate at the OSGG, but I have repeatedly encouraged employees to participate in the review in large numbers. We all experience things differently, but we should always strive to do better, and be attentive to one another’s perceptions.

I am a strong believer in the principles of natural justice, due process and the rule of law, and that these principles apply to all equally. Notwithstanding, in respect for the integrity of my vice-regal Office and for the good of our country and of our democratic institutions, I have come to the conclusion that a new Governor General should be appointed. Canadians deserve stability in these uncertain times.

From a personal side, this decision comes at an opportune time, as my father’s health has seriously worsened in the last few weeks and my family needs my help.

So 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. I have informed the Prime Minister of Canada of my decision. I wish him the best as he seeks an individual to recommend to Her Majesty as the next Governor General of Canada and I wish the best to my successor. I will remain at his or her disposal.

It has been an immense privilege to serve my country and to fulfill the constitutional duties of my Office on behalf of all Canadians. I wish to extend my thanks to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his trust and for offering me this incredible opportunity. I would also like to thank the personnel of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General for their work, especially under the difficult circumstances that we have known over the past months. All my gratitude also goes to the members of the RCMP who are willing to put their lives on the line to assure our protection; and to the members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have always shown tremendous respect, friendship and support. Being their Commander in chief for the last few year has been a tremendous honour. I hold them in great esteem.

For so many Canadians, the past few months have been extremely difficult. As our country, and indeed the world, faced the reality of a pandemic, we all have had to make sacrifice and do our part to limit the spread of the virus, and to protect others, especially the most vulnerable. One cannot choose when hardship comes, but one can choose how to respond to it in times of crisis, and Canadians all over the country have answered the call. At the forefront are the health and medical personnel, essential workers, military personnel, public health officials, leaders and scientists, who have been working tirelessly to provide care, support, leadership and solutions. We owe them an immense debt of gratitude.

I would like to conclude by conveying my sincere appreciation to Canadians for their support over the years. I have had the chance to meet, represent and celebrate the accomplishments of thousands of extraordinary Canadians from coast to coast over the past years and I will always cherish these memories. We live in a remarkable country.

It has been an honour and a privilege.

Julie Payette

Latest news

surrey-shots-fired-for-the-second-time-on-kaps-cafe
BCAug 07, 2025

Surrey: Shots fired for the second time on Kap's Cafe

Shots were fired again this morning at Kap’s Cafe, the target of a shooting incident in Surrey on July 10. No one was injured during the incident, but the windows on one side of the business were fully damaged and glass could be seen scattered inside the business and on the sidewalk. The incident occurred at around 4:40 a.m.The cafe reopened about 10 days after the July 10 incident, but now, after another shooting, the cafe, located at 85 Avenue and 120 Street, has been closed again. In addition to the side of the cafe, a hole could also be seen in the entrance area of the cafe due to gunfir
russian-president-to-visit-india-modi-putin-meeting-may-happen-by-year-end
WorldAug 07, 2025

Russian President to visit India, Modi-Putin meeting may happen by year-end

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India in the last week of this year. This information was given by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who was in Moscow. Doval said that we have a special and old relationship with Russia, he described the relations between Russia and India as high-level and said that we are very excited about President Putin's visit to India. The announcement of this visit has come amid increasing tensions between New Delhi and Washington over India's trade relations with Russia. At the same time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address, al
CanadaAug 07, 2025

Canada Border Services Agency arrests Punjabi truck driver with large cocaine haul

The Canada Border Services Agency has reported the arrest of a Punjabi truck driver with a large cocaine haul at Blue Water Bridge, Ontario. The agency said that on July 23, a commercial truck entering from the United States was stopped for inspection at the Blue Water Bridge Port of Entry, during which officers searched the trailer and seized 197 kilograms of suspected cocaine, concealed in seven bags in the form of bricks. According to the Border Services Agency, this had an estimated street value of $24.6 million. The CBSA arrested 29-year-old truck driver Onkar Kalsi of Caledon, Ontario
b-c-s-2024-deficit-comes-in-under-forecast-at-7-3b
BCAug 07, 2025

B.C.'s 2024 deficit comes in under forecast at $7.3B

British Columbia's final deficit for the fiscal year has come in at $7.3 billion, $564 million lower than the original projected number in Budget 2024. The final deficit is also about $1.8 billion lower than the most recent third-quarter forecast. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says B.C. was able to report a lower-than-projected deficit largely due to revenue from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. Total revenue was about $2.5 billion higher than expected in the budget. B.C.'s GDP grew by 1.2 per cent, lower than the Canadian average of 1.6 per cent. The taxpayer-supported debt-to-
poilievre-says-of-b-c-premier-eby-that-one-man-cant-block-pipeline-proposal
AlbertaAug 07, 2025

Poilievre says of B.C. Premier Eby that 'one man can't block' pipeline proposal

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Canadians, including British Columbians, want a new oil pipeline and Premier David Eby can't be allowed as one man to block the project. Poilievre says the country can't wait for complete agreement on the idea, calling it a "basic fact" that a new pipeline is needed. Eby has repeatedly said there's no point discussing or supporting a pipeline that is being pushed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and others, until there is a proponent for such a project. Poilievre, speaking in Calgary, says that's a "chicken and egg problem," because the reason there's

Related News