Allegations by former staff against former Gov.-Gen Julie Payette include that she got physical with them, the CBC reports..On top of verbal harassment, allegations of physical contact were reported in testimony given to Quintet Consulting during interviews and will be included in the final report, multiple sources told CBC..“Payette’s workplace behaviour went beyond screaming at, belittling and publicly humiliating employees — and included unwelcome physical contact that caused some participants in the review to feel threatened,” said the CBC report..After dozens of interviews, Quintet Consulting’s final report concluded Payette and her second-in-command, Assunta Di Lorenzo, were responsible for a toxic workplace environment at Rideau Hall, said CBC..Payette resigned January 21 – the same day that reports claimed the investigation into her toxic work environment had been completed – and the findings were damning..Both the Globe and Mail and CBC described the report into Payette’s actions as “scathing.” CBC sources said the negative findings in the report could make it difficult for Payette to remain in her role as Governor-General. . Mossleigh pub briefly opens before authorities move in .A litany of former staffers complained about abusive behaviour from Payette with many leaving their jobs and seen in tears after meeting with her..In a statement, Payette apologized..“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,” said the statement..“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. “.“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.”.CBC has reported last year, Payette has been causing headaches for the RCMP security details by slipping away on foreign trips..Payette’s secrecy and resistance to working with the RCMP routinely sends her protective detail scrambling to fulfill last-minute requests and drives up spending on overtime, hotel and plane tickets, multiple sources told CBC News. .The force has also had to apologize for her behaviour to foreign security abroad because she treated them so poorly, said sources. .CBC reported RCMP confirmed there was more than a $1 million increase in spending to protect the Governor General in 2019-20 compared the previous fiscal year, when it cost $6.3 million. .Earlier is was reported Pyette had spent $141,000 to plan for a private staircase that was never built..But Pyette’s spokeswoman said Canadians don’t have to right to ask about her living arrangements..It was part of hundreds of thousands of dollars Pyette demanded in privacy upgrades before she would move into Rideau Hall – but she still hasn’t moved into her official residence almost three years into her five-year mandate. .More than $117,500 was also spent on a gate and series of doors to keep people away from Payette’s office, according to the National Capital Commission (NCC), which manages the official vice-regal residence..While a large chunk of the grounds of Rideau Hall are open to the public, Payette “wanted to come and go without anyone seeing her,” one source with knowledge of the project told the CBC..Multiple sources told CBC, Payette doesn’t like maintenance workers in her line of sight and even RCMP protection officers aren’t allowed to stand directly outside her office door and must hide in a room down the hallway..In June there were claims the Queen’s representative in Canada had seen a mass exodus of staff while reducing others to tears after dressing-downs..“Four members of Payette’s communications team have departed during the pandemic period alone. A fifth person is leaving this week and another two have taken leaves of absence. It’s just the latest wave of staff to quietly transfer out of the small office in response to mistreatment during Payette’s mandate,” multiple sources told the CBC..“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 – it’s bullying and harassment at its worst,” one source told CBC..Multiple sources told CBC Payette routinely complained of being tired, underfed and overworked..Payette, a former astronaut, was appointed Governor General on the advice of Trudeau in October 2017. Her term runs until 2022..At the beginning of her mandate, CBC reported, Payette put staff on the spot by quizzing them about outer space — asking them to name all the planets in the solar system, for example, or to state the distance between the sun and the moon..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
Allegations by former staff against former Gov.-Gen Julie Payette include that she got physical with them, the CBC reports..On top of verbal harassment, allegations of physical contact were reported in testimony given to Quintet Consulting during interviews and will be included in the final report, multiple sources told CBC..“Payette’s workplace behaviour went beyond screaming at, belittling and publicly humiliating employees — and included unwelcome physical contact that caused some participants in the review to feel threatened,” said the CBC report..After dozens of interviews, Quintet Consulting’s final report concluded Payette and her second-in-command, Assunta Di Lorenzo, were responsible for a toxic workplace environment at Rideau Hall, said CBC..Payette resigned January 21 – the same day that reports claimed the investigation into her toxic work environment had been completed – and the findings were damning..Both the Globe and Mail and CBC described the report into Payette’s actions as “scathing.” CBC sources said the negative findings in the report could make it difficult for Payette to remain in her role as Governor-General. . Mossleigh pub briefly opens before authorities move in .A litany of former staffers complained about abusive behaviour from Payette with many leaving their jobs and seen in tears after meeting with her..In a statement, Payette apologized..“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,” said the statement..“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. “.“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.”.CBC has reported last year, Payette has been causing headaches for the RCMP security details by slipping away on foreign trips..Payette’s secrecy and resistance to working with the RCMP routinely sends her protective detail scrambling to fulfill last-minute requests and drives up spending on overtime, hotel and plane tickets, multiple sources told CBC News. .The force has also had to apologize for her behaviour to foreign security abroad because she treated them so poorly, said sources. .CBC reported RCMP confirmed there was more than a $1 million increase in spending to protect the Governor General in 2019-20 compared the previous fiscal year, when it cost $6.3 million. .Earlier is was reported Pyette had spent $141,000 to plan for a private staircase that was never built..But Pyette’s spokeswoman said Canadians don’t have to right to ask about her living arrangements..It was part of hundreds of thousands of dollars Pyette demanded in privacy upgrades before she would move into Rideau Hall – but she still hasn’t moved into her official residence almost three years into her five-year mandate. .More than $117,500 was also spent on a gate and series of doors to keep people away from Payette’s office, according to the National Capital Commission (NCC), which manages the official vice-regal residence..While a large chunk of the grounds of Rideau Hall are open to the public, Payette “wanted to come and go without anyone seeing her,” one source with knowledge of the project told the CBC..Multiple sources told CBC, Payette doesn’t like maintenance workers in her line of sight and even RCMP protection officers aren’t allowed to stand directly outside her office door and must hide in a room down the hallway..In June there were claims the Queen’s representative in Canada had seen a mass exodus of staff while reducing others to tears after dressing-downs..“Four members of Payette’s communications team have departed during the pandemic period alone. A fifth person is leaving this week and another two have taken leaves of absence. It’s just the latest wave of staff to quietly transfer out of the small office in response to mistreatment during Payette’s mandate,” multiple sources told the CBC..“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 – it’s bullying and harassment at its worst,” one source told CBC..Multiple sources told CBC Payette routinely complained of being tired, underfed and overworked..Payette, a former astronaut, was appointed Governor General on the advice of Trudeau in October 2017. Her term runs until 2022..At the beginning of her mandate, CBC reported, Payette put staff on the spot by quizzing them about outer space — asking them to name all the planets in the solar system, for example, or to state the distance between the sun and the moon..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
