Why did Trudeau Shaft Payette?

Vincent J. Curtis

23 Jan 21

Two things are obvious from the resignation of Julie Payette.  The first is that she was brought down by the whisperings of her staff.  The second is that Prime Minister Trudeau could have prevented this whole affair, but chose not to.

The real question is why Trudeau let Payette twist in the wind?

Could it be that Payette gave Trudeau difficulties when he wanted to prorogue Parliament?  On his effort to run a minority government during the pandemic without Parliament meeting until June 2021?  Did she indicate that the Conservatives might be asked to form a government if Trudeau asked for Parliament to be dissolved and an election called?

We’ll never know.  The drama teacher knows how to stick to the script, and it’s unlikely that Payette will talk for quite some time.

The fatal criticisms of Payette were uniquely womanly.  She and her chief of staff created as “toxic work environment,” when everybody is entitled to a “safe and secure work environment.”  (Only in Ottawa!)  Some staff were made to cry as a result of “verbal abuse.”  Rather than request a transfer out of their comfortable billets in Rideau Hall, the Ottawa swamp creatures knew how to complain to gain revenge, and they did.

Trudeau could have acted to protect Payette, but chose not to.  He could have blocked the appointment of a commission that would fully ventilate the complaints of the discontented and that would reach the fatal, progressive conclusion.

Now Trudeau is waking up to the realization that Payette’s resignation is redounding against him, since he personally chose her without vetting.

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