Justin Trudeau – Foundations of former GGs: the federal government does not indicate whether it would support that of Julie Payette – Inspired Traveler

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

OTTAWA – The federal government is stingy with comments on whether it will financially support former Governor General of Canada Julie Payette if she chooses to set up a foundation, as her predecessors did.

Ottawa has allocated $ 30 million, over the past 15 years, to support charitable causes with foundations created by governors general when they leave office after their mandate.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office declined to say whether the government will offer the same financial support to Ms Payette if she decides to follow in the footsteps of other former governors general.

Julie Payette resigned as Governor General of Canada last month, having completed only three of her five years in office. Her departure was precipitated by the report of an independent investigation which concluded that she had created a toxic work environment at Rideau Hall.

Ms. Payette has not expressed her intention to set up a foundation until now. The Canadian Press attempted to reach her, unsuccessfully, to comment on the matter.

In an email, the Prime Minister’s Office forwarded the statement by Béatrice Fénelon, a spokesperson for the Privy Council Office. She specifies that such funding is not automatically granted to former governors general and that the decision is taken on a case-by-case basis.

Foundations created by former governors general of Canada are subject to the same rules and requirements as other charitable causes in the country.