The Senate had a chance to do what many Canadians want – the removal of lifetime benefits from shamed former Gov.-Gen. Julie Payette – but they balked on the idea Tuesday night, says Blacklock’s Reporter..Senators argued the removal of Payette’s benefits wouldn’t be fair to her and she may turn to the courts..Payette stepped down from her post after a workplace investigation found systemic harassment. She was only 3-and-a-half years into her term..“I’m just wondering if the former governor-general decided to turn to the courts, what that might mean in terms of problems for our country,” said Sen. Lucie Moncion (Ont.)..Bill S-232 would retroactively deny Payette’s benefits and those of any future appointee who fails to complete their term. Payette is entitled to a $143,000-a year pension for life and a $206,040 annual expense budget..“It’s simply a disgraceful situation,” said Sen. Claude Carignan (Que.), sponsor of the bill..“It’s shocking to a great number of Canadians..“The average salary in Canada is $48,800 and if an employee wanted to build a decent pension they would have to make contributions for many years. It is inconceivable and irresponsible for an individual who does not complete their five-year term of office to automatically receive a pension for life.”.Payette resigned last January 21 after seventeen employees quit Rideau Hall over complaints of workplace bullying. Legal fees in the case cost taxpayers $249,627. A human resources investigation cost another $369,367..It was the shortest tenure of any governor-general since 1872..“It’s not my intention to put the governor-general on trial, but to be honest I was stupefied to learn the Act offers no guidance about the payment of a lifetime pension,” said Carignan..Lifetime benefits for Payette “didn’t make any sense. This situation was clearly not anticipated by legislators.”.However senators said the retroactive elimination of benefits was unfair to Payette..“When she took this position she knew there were certain benefits associated with her position, so now you are taking them away from her,” said Sen.Pierre Dalphond (Que.)..“Yes, that’s right,” replied Carignan..“As distasteful as we may find the pension going to the former general, it’s not her fault that when she accepted the terms and conditions of the position that those were the terms and conditions,” said Sen. Percy Downe (P.E.I.)..“I am not in favour of any retroactive provision of your bill.”.“It seems to me it’s about fairness,” said Sen. Éric Forest (Que.)..“Let’s say the person resigns after one month or four years, I mean, that’s quite a difference.”.The last governor-general to resign before the expiry of their term was Romeo LeBlanc, who quit in 1999 after four years due to early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Jules Leger, appointed governor-general in 1974, served his full term despite suffering a severe stroke six months in office that forced him to take speech therapy..“These long months have brought me close to those who suffer,” Leger said in his 1975 New Year’s Message..Senators Tuesday night adjourned Second Reading debate on the bill..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
The Senate had a chance to do what many Canadians want – the removal of lifetime benefits from shamed former Gov.-Gen. Julie Payette – but they balked on the idea Tuesday night, says Blacklock’s Reporter..Senators argued the removal of Payette’s benefits wouldn’t be fair to her and she may turn to the courts..Payette stepped down from her post after a workplace investigation found systemic harassment. She was only 3-and-a-half years into her term..“I’m just wondering if the former governor-general decided to turn to the courts, what that might mean in terms of problems for our country,” said Sen. Lucie Moncion (Ont.)..Bill S-232 would retroactively deny Payette’s benefits and those of any future appointee who fails to complete their term. Payette is entitled to a $143,000-a year pension for life and a $206,040 annual expense budget..“It’s simply a disgraceful situation,” said Sen. Claude Carignan (Que.), sponsor of the bill..“It’s shocking to a great number of Canadians..“The average salary in Canada is $48,800 and if an employee wanted to build a decent pension they would have to make contributions for many years. It is inconceivable and irresponsible for an individual who does not complete their five-year term of office to automatically receive a pension for life.”.Payette resigned last January 21 after seventeen employees quit Rideau Hall over complaints of workplace bullying. Legal fees in the case cost taxpayers $249,627. A human resources investigation cost another $369,367..It was the shortest tenure of any governor-general since 1872..“It’s not my intention to put the governor-general on trial, but to be honest I was stupefied to learn the Act offers no guidance about the payment of a lifetime pension,” said Carignan..Lifetime benefits for Payette “didn’t make any sense. This situation was clearly not anticipated by legislators.”.However senators said the retroactive elimination of benefits was unfair to Payette..“When she took this position she knew there were certain benefits associated with her position, so now you are taking them away from her,” said Sen.Pierre Dalphond (Que.)..“Yes, that’s right,” replied Carignan..“As distasteful as we may find the pension going to the former general, it’s not her fault that when she accepted the terms and conditions of the position that those were the terms and conditions,” said Sen. Percy Downe (P.E.I.)..“I am not in favour of any retroactive provision of your bill.”.“It seems to me it’s about fairness,” said Sen. Éric Forest (Que.)..“Let’s say the person resigns after one month or four years, I mean, that’s quite a difference.”.The last governor-general to resign before the expiry of their term was Romeo LeBlanc, who quit in 1999 after four years due to early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Jules Leger, appointed governor-general in 1974, served his full term despite suffering a severe stroke six months in office that forced him to take speech therapy..“These long months have brought me close to those who suffer,” Leger said in his 1975 New Year’s Message..Senators Tuesday night adjourned Second Reading debate on the bill..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
