Julie Payette has resigned as Canada’s Governor General

Julie Payette resigned as Canada’s vice regal on Thursday. The former Canadian astronaut was appointed by Canada’s Queen as Governor General on the recommendation of Justin Trudeau. Payette released the following 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. 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 fulfil 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.”

The Rt. Hon. Julie Payette’s statement regarding her resignation

Payette is resigning after an independent review into complaints of workplace harassment and a “toxic work environment” at Rideau Hall. Some noted Payette’s mirroring of Prime Minister Trudeau’s language when he faced accusations of sexual harassment. “We all experience things differently, but we should always strive to do better, and be attentive to one another’s perceptions.” Trudeau famously remarked that in such interactions, others may experience things differently.

How much does the Governor General make and what’s the retirement package look like?

Julie Payette gives up a well-paying job in Canada’s public service. According to the Library of Parliament, the salary of the Governor General is $288,900. However, Access to Information documents obtained by the National Post in 2019, retired Governors General may claim up to $206,000 per year in office expenses after they’ve left Rideau Hall.

Who takes over vice regal duties when the Governor General abruptly resigns?

According to the law, this falls upon a special administrator. And that person is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, Richard Wagner. From the Prime Minister’s statement on response to Julie Payette’s resignation:

“On an interim basis, the Chief Justice of Canada will be fulfilling the duties of the Governor General. A recommendation on a replacement will be provided to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and announced in due course. ”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Annamie Paul is the new leader of the Green Party of Canada

Elizabeth May‘s tenure over the Green Party of Canada has really come to a close. The leadership for the Green Party of Canada was announced this evening and the results are official. Annamie Paul is the new leader of Canada’s 5th party in Canada’s Parliament. Paul officially takes over the party from interim leader Jo-Ann Roberts.

Paul won, narrowly besting Dimitri Lascaris winning 54.5% on the eighth and final ballot. She led the field of candidates from the first ballot. Over 24,000 votes were cast. The Green Party claimed a 69% voter turnout of members.

Annamie Paul is a lawyer by profession and is from Toronto. She holds a Masters in Public Affairs from Princeton University and a law degree from the University of Ottawa. She is a former advisor to the International Criminal Court and served as a political officer to Canada’s mission to the EU.

Paul must still win a seat. She has the opportunity to run in one of two Toronto area by-elections, currently underway. Elizabeth May did not run a candidate against Jagmeet Singh when the NDP leader was looking to land a seat in Parliament, however, it is unclear at this time if the NDP will reciprocate and likewise allow Paul to run uncontested (at least by them).

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole offered his congratulations,

as did New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh.

Maxime Bernier officially running in York Centre

It’s getting a bit sad isn’t it?

Maxime Bernier has announced that it’s official, he’ll be standing as the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate in the upcoming by-election in York Centre. The former Harper cabinet minister who ran for Conservative Party leadership losing to Andrew Scheer tweeted that he had filed his paperwork to run for MP in the vacated seat.

Bernier left the Conservative Party in a huff after losing the leadership contest and after subsequently realizing that this meant that coming in second place meant that the party wouldn’t be under his control. Mad Max left the party to start his own and most saw it as an exercise in spite.

Maxime Bernier prior to failing the marshmallow test

Indeed, in the subsequent election, the People’s Party covered the margin between a Liberal win and a Conservative loss in about a half dozen seats.

Bernier has never faced a contested leadership in his new party, or even a vote for a leadership review after his complete washout as the leader of a party that won 0 seats in the last election.

The word is that Bernier misses his job as Member of Parliament and that the loss of his own seat in Beauce (that he won as a Conservative) was a particularly painful.

His bid for York Centre is unlikely to be successful, but he does have the chance (again) to be the spoiler for Conservatives who won the seat with Mark Adler in 2011.

Julius Tiangson will be the Conservative candidate in the race. He previously ran for the Conservative Party in Mississauga Centre in 2015. Ya’ara Saks will be the Liberal candidate.

The York Centre by-election is on October 26th and was called due to Liberal MP Michael Levitt resigning the seat to be the CEO of Canadian Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies.