Payette's access to expense account 'under careful consideration,' says Freeland

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freelandsays Julie Payette's access to a six-figure expense account is being reviewed in the wake of her resignationas governor generalfollowing a blistering outside report onthe workplaceenvironment atRideau Hall.

Under the Governor General's Act, former vice-regals are entitled to anannuitywhich, according to the 2020 Public Accounts,amounts to$149,484per year.

They are also given access to a lifetime expense program for office and travel expenses a program that grew out of aTreasuryBoarddecision in 1979.

Documentsobtained by the National Post in 2018 showthat each former governor general is allowed to claim up to $206,000 per year under the program.

Inan interview with CBC News'Power & Politics host Vassy Kapelos, Freelandsaid that former governors general are legally entitled to the annuity.

"It is buttressed by laws and those laws include the pension to which all former governors generalare entitled. That's just the law and I think we all agree we need to follow the law," she said.

"In terms of the other aspects of the life of someone who has served as governor general after they are no longer serving as governor general, all of those issues are under careful consideration."

WATCH / Chrystia Freeland on Payette's expense account:

Payette's access to expense account being reviewed: Freeland

4 years ago

Duration 2:13

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says Julie Payette's access to an expense account available to former governors general is 'under careful consideration.'

When asked specifically about the expense account,Freeland said "everything is under careful consideration."

"It is going to be important for our government, and what I can 100 per cent commit to Canadians is we're going to follow the law hereand the legal entitlements are entitlements we're going to honour, because we believe in honouring Canada's political institutions," she said.

"The important thing at this point is not what I think. It is what the rules are, and that is something that is being looked into very carefully right now."

Opposition questionsPayette'saccess to funds

A Rideau Hall spokesperson said the expense account is meant for former governors generalwho continue to serve the public after they step down or retire.

"Once governors general end their mandate, there remains an expectation that they continue to serve as Canadian leading figures. This expectation of continued public life means that they are regularly solicited to support various causes, take part in important events and undertake official activities," said Rideau Hall spokesperson Rob McKinnon.

"When submitting claims for reimbursement, supporting documentation are provided, including original receipts and invoices. Reasonable expenses of secretarial and temporary help services are reimbursed to all former Governors General through the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General."

In a shock move,Payetteand her secretary,Assuntadi Lorenzo, resigned Thursday after an outside workplace review of Rideau Hall probed claims thatshe had belittled, berated and publicly humiliated Rideau Hall staff.

Conservative Leader ErinO'Toolequestioned Payette's access to the fund, given the report's findings.

"She resigned her role, she should not be able to access the normal courtesies provided to governors general," he told reporters Monday morning ahead of Parliament resuming.

"The office, sadly, has been sullied."

Both O'Toole and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to tell the publicwhether heand Payette came to an agreement before she resigned.

"There's a couple things that people are really upset about," Singh said today. "One is that the governor general resigned and, secondly, resigned in light of a report that shows some really troubling examples of harassment of staff and poor work conditions.

"Given those two elements, people are wonderingwhy would someone receive what seems like a reward for this really bad behaviour.

"So really, this question has to be directed to Justin Trudeau. What was the agreement that he put in place that precipitated the resignation?"

CBC has requested comment from the Prime Minister's Office.

WATCH |Opposition leaders say former governor general should not receive perks

Opposition leaders say former governor general should not receive annuity

4 years ago

Duration 1:17

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says former governor general Julie Payette should not receive an annuity. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, meanwhile, says the behaviour described in a scathing report on the workplace climate at Rideau Hall "should not be rewarded."