Re: Governor General

by Skelter Fri Jul 23, 2021 5:16 pm

Governor general-designate Mary Simon speaks with the Queen

Peter Zimonjic · CBC News · Posted: Jul 23, 2021

Governor General - Page 4 The-queen-mary-simon

https://www.cbc.ca/news/SOMNIA-1.6114444

by Lux4795 Mon Jul 26, 2021 3:08 pm

26.07.2021

by **OutlawSoldier** Fri Oct 08, 2021 3:22 pm

Governor general helps hand out meals to those experiencing homelessness

Oct 8, 2021

by Armoured Mon Oct 25, 2021 3:33 pm

GG, Legion mark 100th anniversary of poppy symbol during fundraising campaign launch

Published Monday, October 25, 2021

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/gg-legion-mark-100th-anniversary-of-poppy-symbol-during-fundraising-campaign-launch-1.5637566

by Dolland Wed Nov 03, 2021 7:10 am

Governor General invests 97 members of the Canadian military into the Order of Military Merit

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Governor General of Canada
Nov 02, 2021

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/governor-general-invests-97-members-of-the-canadian-military-into-the-order-of-military-merit-840495723.html

by **Vizzer** Sun Nov 14, 2021 3:27 pm

11.14.2021

by Whiskey Wed Dec 22, 2021 3:04 pm

Message from the Governor General to the Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and of the Foreign Service

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Governor General of Canada
Dec 22, 2021

Message from the Governor General

by **Colter** Fri Jan 28, 2022 3:36 pm

GG's office paid $277,000 in secret settlements the year Julie Payette resigned

The public accounts list the $277,592 as going to five claimants whose names are withheld due to 'publication exemption'

Author of the article: Ryan Tumilty, Christopher Nardi
Publishing date: Jan 28, 2022

OTTAWA – Rideau Hall paid out $277,592 in confidential settlements as well as running up legal bills of nearly $170,000 in the same year former governor general Julie Payette resigned for presiding over a “toxic” workplace.

The amount is by far the highest paid by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG) for settlements going back until at least 2010, according to an analysis of government records by the National Post.

In fact, the office almost never paid out settlement claims during that period, making the $277,592 payment in just one year all the more unusual.

The dollar amount is contained in the government’s public accounts, which were released in December and listed as a payment of claim against the Crown under OSGG’s budget. The OSGG is the department tasked with supporting the governor general and the secretary position is the highest-ranking bureaucrat at Rideau Hall.

The public accounts list the $277,592 figure as going to five claimants whose names are withheld due to “publication exemption.” The document provides no comprehensive breakdown of how the money was spent or even what type of claim was settled.

“Further details are not available for the line item in question,” said Josephine Laframboise, spokesperson for the OSGG.

The Privy Council Office also declined to comment and referred all questions to Rideau Hall.

The public accounts are a detailed breakdown of what the government spent in a given year and include legal settlements, and information on contracts and even lost or stolen items.

The public accounts reveal that Rideau Hall spent an exceptional amount of money — nearly $170,000 — on “legal services” in 2020-2021.

In comparison, OSGG spent just $483 in legal services in 2019-2020, and nothing in the two years preceding that.

The exceptional settlement and legal expenses occurred during Payette’s tumultuous final year as governor general.

They do not include any expenses from the current governor general Mary Simon, who was appointed last summer.

Payette’s tenure as the Queen’s representative in Canada ended with her historic resignation in January 2021 after a scathing workplace review found that she presided over a toxic environment at Rideau Hall. She has denied any wrongdoing.

Rideau Hall Secretary and Payette’s longtime friend Assunta di Lorenzo also resigned from government around that time. National Post later revealed that she had helped tip the scales against the governor general by corroborating the findings of the workplace review, which was done by an outside firm, Quintet Consulting.

It is unclear if di Lorenzo received a settlement from the federal government in exchange for her resignation, and if that amount would be part of the $277,592 paid out by Rideau Hall. PCO and OSGG refused to answer that question.

In its review, Quintet interviewed more than 90 past and current employees at Rideau Hall and reported allegations there was a “toxic workplace” under Payette and di Lorenzo. It noted allegations of incidents of “yelling, screaming, aggressive conduct, demeaning comments and public humiliation.”

“Forty-three participants described the general work environment as hostile or negative or used other words to that effect. Twenty-six participants used the words ‘toxic’ or ‘poisoned’ to describe the general work atmosphere at (Rideau Hall) during the current mandate,” reads the heavily redacted document.

Eight participants used the expressions “climate/reign of fear/terror” when speaking to Quartet and 12 participants said they were “walking on eggshells.”

While the workplace review was underway, in late 2020, the OSGG hired legal counsel to raise concerns about the process the review was taken.

The top Toronto firm of Blake, Cassels and Graydon wrote to the Privy Council’s Office to raise concerns that the review wasn’t following standard processes and that the government should have worked to see if any of the complaints were frivolous, vexatious or “made in bad faith.”

The firm also raised concerns that more should be done to ensure the process was completely free of political interference. It is unclear if the $170,000 in legal services includes payments to Blake, Cassels and Graydon, but the firm made clear at the time that it had been hired by the OSGG, not by any one individual.

Despite resigning from the post, Payette qualifies for a lifetime pension of nearly $150,000 per year and is allowed to claim expenses related to any work she might do as a former governor general.

NATIONAL POST

by Covert Mon Jun 06, 2022 6:55 am

Message from the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada on the occasion Canadian Armed Forces Day

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Governor General of Canada
Jun 05, 2022

OTTAWA, ON, June 5, 2022 /CNW/ - As governor general and commander-in-chief, I would like to congratulate all those marking Canadian Armed Forces Day.

This has been a year of change and challenge for the members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Together, you are facing hard truths and continue to address important issues facing the CAF. A CAF that does the hard work of making itself better. A CAF that welcomes diversity and equality within its ranks.

In addition, you were called upon to serve at home and overseas to help not only with conflict, such as the heartbreaking war in Ukraine, but also with climate disasters, forest fires and the ongoing pandemic.

Through it all, and despite the many challenges calling for your attention, you are there for our country. You continue to make us proud.

I've seen your work up close. During the past year, I've visited troops in Kuwait and Qatar; I've met with Canadian Rangers serving in the North and celebrated their 75th anniversary with them in Victoria. I have honoured members for meritorious service, for bravery and for their dedication to this nation. I've met with veterans and members from across the country and I have conveyed to them my pride in their actions. And each time I meet someone who has served our country, I ask them about their story. I ask them about how they take care of themselves, both in body and in mind.

As we mark Canadian Armed Forces Day, I would like to thank all of you who sacrifice so much for our country, including the families of those who have chosen to serve. Through your actions, you are building a better Canada and a better world.

Mary Simon

Statement

by Covert Tue Jun 07, 2022 6:38 am

From bureaucracy to the battlefield — the Governor General's Foot Guards turn 150

Murray Brewster · CBC News · Posted: Jun 07, 2022

Governor General - Page 4 Royal-tour-canada-20110701

CBC News

by **Accer** Wed Jun 15, 2022 12:38 pm

Governor General, entourage amass $100K in-flight catering bill during trip to Middle East

Published June 14, 2022

CTV News

by **Spider** Thu Jun 16, 2022 8:33 am

Accer wrote:
Governor General, entourage amass $100K in-flight catering bill during trip to Middle East

Published June 14, 2022

CTV News

Rideau Hall says GG 'shares the public's concern' about $93K catering bill

Ashley Burke · CBC News · Posted: Jun 15, 2022

CBC News

by **Warrior** Mon Oct 17, 2022 6:24 am

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says media's portrayal of trip expenses was 'unfair' but changes could be in the works

Christian Paas-Lang · CBC News · Posted: Oct 15, 2022

Governor General - Page 4 Bc-gg-visit-20220520

CBC News

by **Stayner** Tue Oct 25, 2022 3:17 pm

First Poppy 2022 presented to Canada’s Governor General

October 25, 2022

(GLOBE NEWSWIRE)

by Lux4795 Fri Dec 30, 2022 3:33 pm

'I enter the year with hope in my heart': GG delivers New Year's message

Dec 30. 2022

CBC News (Video)

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