2020–2021 Rideau Hall workplace review

[5] Following the 2021 resignations, critics alleged that "when he picked the former astronaut, Mr. Trudeau and his advisers were apparently so enthralled with ticking those symbolic boxes, of installing the candidate who neatly fit the image, that they obviously didn’t do enough to check on who she really was",[6] blaming the government and the Privy Council Office (PCO) for "failing to spot red flags before Payette’s appointment, and then failing to act once the media had highlighted them.

[12] After the story broke, Rideau Hall's press secretary said her office "strongly believes in the importance of a healthy workplace, we have taken many steps to foster this, we will continue to do so and will work at constantly improving," and called for a review.

[3] CBC News reported on August 12 that the Office of the Governor General was bringing in psychologists specializing in workplace stress to speak to employees, and Payette released a memo on July 31 telling staff that she was listening to concerns and urging them to "stay united":[3] "Rest assured that I take workplace harassment very seriously and fully support the review of our practices and the continuation of concrete actions to ensure a healthy and safe work environment for everyone, at all times and in all circumstances".In response to the allegations, the PCO announced on September 1 that it would retain Quintet Consulting, an Ottawa-based consulting firm, to launch an independent, third-party review of the workplace culture at Rideau Hall.

[14] The PCO’s independent report found that Payette and Di Lorenzo presided over a toxic work environment, detailing “yelling, screaming, aggressive conduct, demeaning comments and public humiliations.”[15] During the investigation, CBC News reported that the Prime Minister's Office failed to conduct checks with Payette's previous employers prior to her appointment as Governor General.

[16] On January 21, 2021, Payette and Di Lorenzo resigned from their roles following the conclusion of the PCO report and a meeting the previous evening with Prime Minister Trudeau and President of the Privy Council Dominic LeBlanc.

[17] The Governor General's Office released a statement following her resignation which included an apology by Payette:[18] "Everyone has a right to a healthy and safe work environment, at all times and under all circumstances.

"[20] Conservative leader Erin O'Toole cited problems with Trudeau's selection of Payette, accusing him of not vetting properly and called on him to meet with party leaders to discuss selecting the next governor general,[21] stating: "[c]onsidering the problems with his last appointment and the minority Parliament, the Prime Minister should consult opposition parties and re-establish the Vice-Regal Appointments Committee.