Former governor general Julie Payette has not been recommended to lose her Order of Canada status, one of the nation’s prestigious civilian honors. Following Payette’s resignation in January 2021 amid allegations of mistreating staff, an advisory council examined a request to revoke her Order of Canada. Chaired by Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Wagner, the council deliberated on whether Payette’s actions compromised the integrity of the Order or diverged from the basis of her appointment.
In a letter obtained by CBC News, Ian McCowan, the Secretary General of the Order of Canada, informed the complainant that the Advisory Council determined there were insufficient grounds to proceed with the revocation. Rideau Hall acknowledged the council’s findings but declined to provide further comments, citing a policy of not discussing individual cases.
The complainant, Giovanni Cormano, who contacted Rideau Hall post-Payette’s departure, expressed disappointment with the response received regarding his request for termination. He voiced his concern that Payette’s behavior does not align with the standards expected at the highest levels of government in Canada.
Payette was initially appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2010 for her accomplishments as an astronaut and engineer, serving as an inspiration and a global ambassador for Canadian engineering. Later, in 2017, she was honored as an Extraordinary Companion of the Order of Canada for her appointment as governor general. Despite the controversies surrounding her tenure, some experts argue that stripping her of the Order of Canada may be excessive given her resignation.
The review conducted after Payette’s resignation highlighted a toxic work environment at Rideau Hall, where employees faced humiliation and mistreatment. Payette acknowledged the issues, apologized for the tensions, and took the allegations seriously, leading to her resignation. The report, based on interviews with current and former employees, indicated that the majority had negative experiences under her leadership.
While some have called for the revocation of Payette’s Order of Canada, others believe that her resignation was a significant consequence in itself. CBC News reached out to Payette for comment but has not received a response yet.