Report details ‘yelling, screaming, aggressive conduct’ at Rideau Hall under Payette

OTTAWA — The review of Rideau Hall that led Julie Payette to resign as governor general found dozens of people who called the working conditions there hostile, negative, toxic or poisoned.

The government released the review by Quintet Consulting Corp. Wednesday evening.

It paints a scathing picture of the work environment at Rideau Hall, with some describing it as a “reign of terror.” The report is heavily redacted, primarily to protect participants’ privacy, and whole pages of details are blacked out or removed.

But the review says representative comments about Rideau Hall include phrases such as “the definition of a poisoned work environment,” and “humiliation,” “disrespect” and “condescension.”

The report into harassment allegations against the now former Governor General Julie Payette has been released. Here is a portion of the report #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/cgAldr9LJ9

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) January 28, 2021

It says participants reported yelling, screaming, aggressive conduct, demeaning comments and public humiliations.

As Payette left, her resignation letter admitted no specific wrongdoing but said “we all experience things differently ” and that she was stepping down for the good of the institution.

“…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,” she wrote.

Related articles:

• Trudeau faces questions over vetting process after Payette resigns

• Governor General’s resignation shows poor vetting from government: expert

• Review into harassment claims at Rideau Hall damaging to governor general, reports say

While this controversy has been centred around the behaviour of Payette, the prime minister has been taking a lot of the political heat for this.

The opposition points out that Payette faced similar allegations at her previous two workplaces and question why it didn’t come up in the vetting process.

That has led opposition leaders to question the judgement of the prime minister. Justin Trudeau says his government will be looking to improve the process moving forward.