Astronaut Payette: Canada’s Viceroy must abdicate

Ex-astronaut Julie Payette is forced to abdicate as Governor General of Canada. The scientist’s fate is her leadership style. It is the first time in the history of the world’s largest monarchy that a governor-general has to resign. Until a successor is appointed, Richard Wagner takes over the official business. The grandson of a Bavarian immigrant is chairman of the Supreme Court of Canada.

The reason for Payette’s resignation is an investigation report into her leadership style. Last summer she had CBC, Canada’s English-language public broadcaster, reports that Payette belittles, abuses and publicly exposes employees. There were also allegations of bullying against Payette’s secretary.

An investigation has now come to “disturbing” and “worrying” results, said the President of the Canadian Privy Council on Thursday. There are still no official complaints from an employee. Still, Payette was forced to resign. The 57-year-old apologized for the “tension of the past few months” at her workplace.

Twice on the ISS

Before being sworn in as Vice Queen of Canada, the astronaut had rendered services to science, health, sports, business and women’s interests. At that time she was known to the general public primarily for her two missions on the ISS (1999 and 2009). In between, from 2000 to 2007, she was chief ronaut of the Canadian Space Agency.

When she took office as Governor General, Payette had emphasized the importance of international cooperation and the scientific basis for decision-making. “Climate change, migration, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, poverty, population growth and so on” was what the Canadian was calling the challenges she saw the world face at the time. “Global problems have no borders, no timetable, and they really need our attention.” The peaceful cooperation of different nations on the International Space Station (ISS) serves as a model. She also paid tribute to the role of indigenous people in Canada.

The length of the term of office of the Canadian Governor General depends on the benevolence of the monarch. The governor general is viceroy; so he represents the monarch, also as commander in chief of the Canadian military. Payette was the 4th woman and 29th person in this position. Under Canada’s Queen Elizabeth II alone, Payette was the 13th incumbent. Her twelve predecessors each served four to nearly eight years. Payette comes to less than three and a half years. The ten provinces of Canada have their own lieutenant governors.

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