Official Portrait for Julie Payette
Julie Payette born October 20, 1963) is a Canadian engineer, scientist and former astronaut who served as the Governor General of Canada from 2017 to 2021. She was the 29th officeholder since Canadian Confederation.
Payette holds engineering degrees from McGill University and the University of Toronto. She worked as a research scientist before joining the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in 1992 as a member of the Canadian Astronaut Corps. She completed two spaceflights, STS-96 and STS-127, and has logged more than 25 days in space. She also served as capsule communicator at NASA Mission Control Center in Houston and from 2000 to 2007 as CSA’s chief astronaut.
In July 2013, Payette was named chief operating officer for the Montreal Science Centre. She also held a number of board appointments, including the National Bank of Canada. On July 13, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Queen Elizabeth II had approved the appointment of Payette as the next governor general of Canada. She was sworn in on October 2, 2017.
Payette resigned on January 21, 2021 amidst the release of a report by the Privy Council Office accusing her of harassment of civil servants in the Office of the Governor-General. She said that she supported the investigation into the workplace harassment.
Jessica Murphy says
I think Ms. Payette had trouble dealing with the usual mid-level bureaucrats who would have made up her staff. If someone has risen to an upper staff position in Rideau Hall, one would expect that person to be capable of listing the names of the planets of the solar system. (Not in order, of course.) This was a test our GG administered to aides, and which rendered them paralytic with stress. Really? I think she was just too intelligent for such a mindless job. I still respect Julie Payette.
Bonnie Thompson says
Shame on her. Wrote to your MP and tell them how you feel. There is no way she deserves a pension.
Karen Tribbivk says
My understanding is that there has been (previously) a vetting committee. Mr Trudeau chose not to use thst committee- maybe because “it’s the 21st Century”
Bill Eggert says
Mr. Trudeau abolished that arms length committee in 2017. Apparently he knows better….
joan nunweiler says
She should NOT receive her pension at all,she QUIT.
Adrienne Cleave says
Social skills? How about common decency
Pat Hampson says
Obviously zero gravity does nothing for Management and Social Skills.
Dorothy Taylor says
I just heard that Payette is getting a 6 figure pension for the rest of her life!!!
Does she deserve it no way!!!
She had to resign and hope those affected by her abuse will take her to court.
Lee Ann Wilson says
With all her accolades she left Social Skills behind.
Roger Hall says
Good Riddance!
While Ms Payette is a renowned astronaut/scientist, she has made a mockery of the dignity that is required to be The Queen’s Vice-Regal representative for Canada. Shame will be her ultimate legacy.