Trudeau government refuses to support Gov. Gen. Julie Payette while under scrutiny

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freelanddrew a sharp distinction between her support for the office of the Governor General and its current occupant, Julie Payette, in the wake of reporting by CBC News showing unusual spending to meet Payette'sdemands for privacy.

Payette isalso under fire over claims she's created a toxic work environment and a culture of fear at Rideau Hall. Seventeen sourcestold CBC News that Payette and her second-in-command have verbally harassed workers to the point where waves of staff have left the office.

Asked twice on Friday by CBC's Tom Parry if her government had confidence in Payette,Freelandoffered support for her office and the constitutional role it plays, but pointedly did notexpress explicitconfidence in Payette.

"I think Canadianshave a great respect for the office of the Governor General and I have that respect as well," Freelandsaid.

"But for this Governor General?" asked Parry.

Freeland responded: "The office of the Governor General plays avery important role in that system. And, I thinklike the overwhelming majority of Canadians, I have a great deal of respect for that office and for that role."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau selected Payettea former astronaut,computer engineer, pilot, academic, musician and executive to take on the viceregal role as the Queen's representative in Canada in October2017. The selection has been fraught with controversy from the beginning, and Trudeau has beennotably silent in offering any defence of her.

• Maryland court releases Payette divorce documents

The National Post and Radio Canadaalso reported Payette's time at the Montreal Science Centre foreshadowed the issues to come at Rideau Hall, raising questions about the Trudeau government's vetting process.

Trudeau has only said publicly his government is committed to ensuring federally regulated workplaces are harassment free. The Privy Council Office also launched an external, independentinvestigation last month into the workplace environment following CBC's report on the alleged harassment.

Although Payette's role is mostly ceremonial, it can be important during a minority government. Payette is bound by constitutional convention to follow the advice of the prime minister if the PM requests a dissolution or prorogation of Parliament, but she is empowered to dismiss a government that has been defeated on a vote of confidence if it refuses to step aside.

Barbara Messamore, a history professor at the University of the Fraser Valley whostudies the role of governors general, saidnormally the government of theday would respond to such criticism. Partof Payette's role is tomaintain the dignity of the office, and she is not supposed to respond to controversy, Messamoresaid.

"It's Trudeau's government that would have to speak up to defend the office," she said. "It's not about protecting Madame Payette; it's about protecting the dignity of the Crown."

Carleton University's Philippe Lagass, an expert in theWestminstersystem, said the office is currently being seen as a source of controversy and difficulty, which is not in keeping with what Canadians expect from Rideau Hall. He saiddamage is being done to the overall image of one of the highest offices in the country.

"At this stage right now, an office that is supposed to be above partisanship, it's supposed to be above controversy and represent Canadians as a whole, is finding itself having to dodge and weave and explain various things in a way that really don't make it out to be the dignified office that it's supposed to be," Lagasssaid.

"Unless drastic measures are taken to rectify the situation, this doesn't seem like a tenable situation going forward."

Freelandalso responded to questions around Payette'sspendingmore than $250,000 in public funds to study and design a private staircase for herself and to install access doors and a gate around her office at Rideau Hall. Three years into her five-year mandate, Payette still has not moved in, and her office has requested that more work be done.

"All of us who have the privilege of serving Canadians have to really be mindful that when we spend money, we are spending the money of Canadians," Freelandsaid."I think Canadian journalists and Canadians absolutely have the right to look carefully at how we spend Canadians' money."

• More than $250K spent on Payette's demands for privacy
• Payette has created toxic climate of harassmentat Rideau Hall, sources allege

Payette's press secretary, Ashlee Smith, has previously suggested it was not in the public interest to ask about Payette's living arrangements, saying it "seems contrary to respecting the life and privacy of a person."

Smith also saidthere are"outstanding issues regarding universal accessibility and privacy" at Rideau Hall. The office also has concerns about security, she said, especially after an armed man drovehis truck through the gates at Rideau Hall last month and headed on foot towardthe prime minister's house before being arrested.